September 8th, 2022 edition

Flyers, Lions, soar and roar to big wins

‘Our university is a jewel’

HSSU President Dr. LaTonia Collins

Smith named 2022 Stellar Performer

By Alvin A. Reid

devoted much of her outstanding career to Harris-Stowe.

Smith was named interim president on June 1, 2021 and guided the school through a summer and first semester of achievement and excellence. Her work was exemplary, and her devotion to students, faculty, and staff was infectious. Harris-Stowe did not miss a beat during her time as interim

On March 1, 2022, Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith was named the 21st Harris-Stowe State University president. She became the university’s first African American woman to serve as president.

More than 9,000 families assisted

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Saying “there aren’t too many problems money can’t fix,” Mayor Tishaura Jones was joined by Treasurer Adam Layne and other officials in heralding the success of the Direct Cash Assistance (DCA) program during a City Hall press conference on Wednesday. The DCA program was funded through the American Rescue Plan which provided a one-time payment of $500 to more than 9,000 eligible St. Louis households. Helping thousands of families who were facing economic hardships gain some financial stability to reenter the workforce.

n “There aren’t too many problems money can’t fix.”

–Mayor Tishaura Jones

“A lot of effort went into ensuring there were thoughtful outreach strategies to include underrepresented communities, including seniors and housing for unstable families,” said Layne, whose office conducted 18 in-person application events to increase outreach to senior homes, schools, and to those who need

additional support by submitting the application digitally.

According to the DCA summary report, the first in-person application event in December of 2021 served 550 St. Louisans. Over a threeday span the event served 750 people in the city of St. Louis.

The United Way of Greater St. Louis and community partners provided assistance to the unhoused community, the undocumented community, and outside organizations who participated by assisting those with unique needs. The program received 10,000 applications. The United Way also assisted those who

LasT in a series

Building on what was there

Rehabbers work to restore aging structures

By Karen Robinson-Jacobs

mold, and costs that exceed sales. Still, the real estate investor says she’s “not a quitter,” and is aiming to work with others to get vacant properties into the hands of homeowners, despite the hurdles. “I literally lost on that [first St. Louis] project,” said Brown, referencing a home on Blair Avenue that cost $160,000 to rehab and sold in March for $93,000.

“But overall, it turned out awesome on the inside,” she said. “I think that regardless, it was … okay, it’s all worth it. “The architecture and the brick properties in St. Louis are amazing and just to see them dilapidated the way that they are, it was like wow. They have beautiful homes here. What is going on around here?”

As of mid-August, St. Louis had nearly 10,000

UM-sT. LoUis’ eye on hisTory

Dr. Elder is nation’s first Black woman

“Because with diversity, there’s strength.”

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

Dr. Keshia S.Elder

Born and raised in a S. Carolina home with two elementary school teachers as parents, Keshia S. Elder and her siblings had little choice but excel in academics.

“Education was very important in my family. My parents expected us to do well,” Elder recalled. It wasn’t an issue of if we were going to college but where we were going to college.”

It seems that parental mandate for academic excellence has paid off. As of the first of this month, Dr. Keshia S. Elder, will serve

See ELDER, A7

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

St. Louis Treasurer Adam Layne spoke about the important role the Direct Cash Assistance program (DCA) played in assisting residents with much-needed financial assistance after flooding damaged their homes. The press conference was held Wednesday morning, Sept. 7, at City Hall.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Social media mocks Mowry twins’ personal life decisions

Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamera MowryHousley are identical twins, but they also share obvious differences, and social media opinions absurdly suggest they’re so different that they’re races.

Black Twitter has criticized MowryHousley for years on issues including her interracial marriage. She trended on Twitter after a user joked about biracial twins.

“Just found out that when a biracial couple has twins there’s a chance that they can be born as two different races.” the tweet reads.

Although it appears to be a joke in good fun, other users are tired of people judging Mowry-Housley for her life decisions.

“I don’t like how everyone treats Tamera. It’s disgusting and weird. All because she married a white man? Grow up.” the person wrote.

“Man y’all stay forever

coming at Tamera n her blackness and that’s hella sad. Imagine being joked on all your life n being seen as the lesser twin. Must be tough.”

Another user wrote.

Mowry-Hardrict married actor Cory Hardrict in 2008 and Mowry-Housley married Fox New anchor Adam Housley in 2011.

In the past the sisters have been compared and contrasted for their personal choices including interracial marriage being one of the biggest critiques In 2014, the sisters sat with Oprah Winfrey and Mowry-Housley cried about the offensive comments she regularly receives.

“I get called ‘White man’s whore.’ The new one was, ‘back in the day, you cost $300, but now you’re giving it to him for free.’”

Mowry-Housley tearfully says. “People choose to look past love and spew hate. That’s what hurts me because I’ve never experienced so much hate ever

Stacey Dash just now discovers DMX is dead

Stacey Dash has everyone wondering where the rock she’s been living under is located, after she admitted to just learning DMX passed away more than a year ago. Dash recently posted a

video of her crying after finding that DMX

died in April 2021 after a heart attack caused by cocaine intoxication.

“I was strolling through #tiktok and found a #DMX song that has saved me many times,” Dash wrote. “Suddenly it says #RIP i know I am late, i did not know he passed away, he #OD I am heartbroken - he was such a great guy.”

Dash, who also suffered from a past drug addiction, shared in the clip that she was disappointed about finding out about DMX’s death now.

“I didn’t know DMX died. I didn’t know from a cocaine overdose,” she said. “I am today, six years and one month clean and it breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that he lost to it. He lost. He lost to that demon of addiction. Please, please don’t lose.”

“John Doe” in the suit, their names are undisclosed to protect their identities. The case states the victims who were 14 and 7, accuse Haddish and Spears of forcing them to do salacious videos in two separate incidents in 2013 and 2014.

Attorneys for Haddish and Spears called the accusations “bogus” and a “shakedown” after CNN reached out for comment.

The complaint states Haddish was a “longtime family friend” of the mother of the siblings who seeked legal action. Jane Doe is now 22 and the legal guardian of John Doe, 15 according to the complaint.

DMX had a heart attack in his home last April that left him in a coma for seven days. He was 50 years old.

Tiffany Haddish, Aries Spears face alarming sexual allegations in suit

Comedians Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears face a lawsuit that accuses them of “grooming and molesting” two siblings (who were minors at the time) years ago. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiffs are identified as “Jane Doe” and

“Every attorney who has initially taken on her case -- and there were several -ultimately dropped the matter once it became clear that the claims were meritless and Ms. Haddish would not be shaken down,” a statement from Haddish’s attorney reads. “The two of them will together face the consequences of pursuing this frivolous action.”

“He isn’t going to fall for any shakedown,”

Debra Opri, an attorney for Spears, said in a statement to CNN.

Read the full story here: Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears reps call child sexual abuse suit a ‘shakedown.’

Sources: The Jasmine Brand, CNN, Yahoo

Stacey Dash

Jessie B’s Academy brings unique style of education to Normandy

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Jessica Gant announced to family and friends at her 30th birthday gala she planned to pursue a goal of opening an educational academy. The themed “roaring 20s” party highlighted quality affordable education, and ticket sales proceeds went toward school supplies and Gant’s scholarship fund that assists financially stressed families.

Six months after her announcement, Jessie B’s Academy was enrolling students for a summer camp program. Her dream was now a reality. The school was located in the Goodfellow-Wells neighborhood in the basement of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

However, heart-wrenching news of her mom’s breast cancer returning caused Gant to re-evaluate her plan.

She left her job as a behavioral specialist for the Special School District, so she would not miss her mom’s doctor visits and radiation/chemotherapy treatments.

Gant needed a sustainable income and thought, “I could kill two birds with one stone.” She opened Jessie B’s Academy full-time at her mom’s house. Family and friends came together to turn the home’s basement into a school.

She said there were some “tough moments,” but with grit and family support she pulled through. Her mom’s breast cancer also went into remission.

In 2018, a friend told Gant of a vacant Normandy Collaborative school looking to again fill its halls with young students.

“It was so difficult to find a permanent building,” said Gant. “But now Jessie B’s Academy has been a part of the Normandy community for four years.”

Jessie B’s Academy serves children ages infant to 5 years old or kindergarten ready. She uses the Star Fall Curriculum, which includes reading, language arts and mathematics. It emphasizes phonemic awareness and common sight words in conjunction with audiovisual interactivity.

“It’s a good curriculum because it ensures that our families are receiving a quality education, and students study age-appropriate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). They are learning to build on their fine and gross motor skills,” said Gant.

She says that each lesson is designed so that all of her students can learn at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Gant is dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to learn to recognize letters and words.

It didn’t stop her from graduating from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development in Family Studies.

She later earned a Business Administration degree from Webster Uni-

versity, and then a second master’s in Human Resources.

But before her academic success, Gant supported others facing learning obstacles.

“One of my friends was being teased about not being able to keep up with the other kids in the classroom. I told that bully that wasn’t nice and how would they feel if I was to talk about them,” said Gant.

She was completely unaware that the teacher was paying attention to the student’s exchange and nominated her for a Do The Right Thing Award.

Gant said, “When I got that award I made a vow to myself that I would make a place for all students. No matter how they learn, we can all learn together.”

She was not a stranger to taunting either, adding that she felt embarrassed to walk down the hall to the special education classroom.

“I wondered why there was such a difference and realized it was a form of segregation. I remember the hallway being dim, having poor lighting tucked away in the corner,” she said.

Gant plans to expand to a larger building in the next five years, and add more sensory spaces.

“At the end of the day, we’re a family. If we don’t keep a family environment, then how can we expect to raise the next doctors and lawyers?” she said.

“I felt there is nothing wrong with us in this classroom. We need a little help, but we just want to be treated the same as the other kids.”

Ashley Winters is a Report For America reporter

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Jessica Gant, owner of Jessie B’s Academy in Normandy, gets kids to their rooms after a field trip on Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022.

Megan E. Green brings chance to keep city moving forward

As we prepare to vote for the alderperson who will fill the vacated aldermanic presidency in the city of St. Louis, we want to note that long existent fissures in the country have helped create a divide in national politics that is growing. This troubling divisiveness plagues the city and its future because St. Louis finds itself beholden in critical ways to a rural-dominated Missouri state government that has gained and maintained power with its alignment with politics based mostly on the social and cultural aspects of personal identity. This urban-rural divide has been an inhibiting factor to more vibrant growth and development in this state and its urban regions compared to some of its peer states.

This reality compounds the city’s ability to address more effectively some of its many daunting problems. As we ponder the choices to fill the remaining term of longtime aldermanic board president Lewis Reed, (who resigned after he was indicted of and later pled guilty to corruption), we must take a more comprehensive view of what the priorities should be for city government and who is the preferred choice to work to foster these much needed reforms.

We saw major declines in the city’s population and tax base with accelerated flight to the suburbs and beyond, particularly from the 1950s (St. Louis was the nation’s 8th largest city in 1950) to the 1980s. That population decline has continued into the 2020s. That means that the caliber and effectiveness of its political leaders need to be measured by who can best face its obstacles and provide the governance that can optimize the city’s considerable potential. Despite its toughest challenges real or perceived that contribute to its overall national reputation, there are real opportunities to create a growth mentality that takes advantage of our location, low cost of living and many other unique characteristics. These advantages represent opportunity for forward-thinking resourceful people with new ideas both here and beyond.

Much of what must change is rooted in the city’s archaic, inefficient governance structure, outdated infrastructure, and deeply-rooted regressive politics. There needs to be a new generation of governance and political leadership. The Board of Aldermen needs to be restored to its role as policy maker and legislative body with better compensated and qualified staff. These changes are essential to assure that alderpersons have the needed support and are able to commit and carry

out their considerable responsibilities full time. Fortunately the voters decided to reduce the number of aldermen from 28 to 14 in 2023 to better reflect the reality of the city’s massive population loss. Protests from some incumbent alderpersons insist that this reduction will inhibit the influence of leaders from our most marginalized areas of the city. Maintaining the current structure is hardly a responsible approach to reverse the city’s precipitous decline, particularly the north side’s continued decline that penalizes access to basic city services including educational and retraining opportunities.

This election provides an excellent opportunity to continue some of the reforms initiated by Mayor Jones in collaboration with Comptroller Darlene Green. It is most important that the new member of the city’s powerful 3-member chief fiscal body be compatible with these leaders and have a shared commitment to changes that are needed to attract and support economic development that is more inclusive and equitable – “winwin development” that serves the interests of the people of the city’s current and future investors. Exploitation and entrenched cronyism and corrupt political deals must give way to transparent developments that benefit the entire city and its people.

Some of the qualities we are looking for are a public record of progressive advocacy for the well-being of all St. Louisans, hard-working, collaborative, and having a demonstrated ability to work credibly across racial, geographic and class lines with like-minded elected officials. In addition, the candidate must have an understanding of the intricacies of government and the distinct, well defined roles of each branch of government. They should also realize that there must be a strategy to grow revenues to pay city employees competitive wages and they be deployed in accordance with best management practices, not political cronyism.

The American is convinced that based on the above criteria and her past performance, we join Mayor Tishaura Jones and U.S. Rep Cori Bush and endorse 15th Ward Ald. Megan E. Green as our unequivocal choice to become the next president of the Board of Alderman. It was an easy choice given the past history of her opponent. Make certain you join Mayor Jones and U.S. Rep Bush in their support for Ald. Green on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Commentary

The power of truth

By Ben Jealous

The truth has power. That is why an army of politicians, lawyers, political schemers, media personalities, and admirers of former President Donald Trump have tried so hard to keep Americans from learning the truth about his effort to overturn the 2022 election.

Fortunately, he failed to overturn the election. And he and the corrupt members of his inner circle have failed to keep the truth hidden.

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on our country—and the criminal conspiracy that led up to it—is an important exercise in truth telling. We have learned a lot thanks to the work of committee members and staff, principled members of Trump’s own administration, and journalists whose work has shed light on things Trump and his cronies desperately tried to keep hidden.

Donald Trump wanted to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. He wanted it so badly that he tried to bully his loyal vice president into making a power-abusing end run around the Constitution. He wanted it so badly that he worked his supporters into a rage with endless lies about the election being stolen.

He called these enraged supporters to Washington, D.C., to interfere with a key step in the peaceful transfer of power.

tack would fail to stop Congress from affirming Joe Biden’s victory did Trump grudgingly tell his troops to withdraw. But even that was a tactical retreat. His attack on our democracy hasn’t stopped. Or even slowed down.

Trump continues to lie about the election being stolen from him. His enablers in right-wing media and far-right social media networks spread the lie even further. MAGA activists harass election officials. State legislators use that lie to justify laws that make it harder for people Trump sees as his enemies to vote.

Even worse, they are trying to get more Trump loyalists and Big Lie believers into positions where they will have the power to succeed at what Trump and his team tried to do this time around: overturn the election results in key states.

Trumpists and election deniers are running for office as local election officials, state legislators, and secretaries of state, where they will have power to interfere with how elections are run and votes are counted.

And potentially even worse than that, they are also enlisting the far-right Supreme Court majority that Trump cemented with three justices who were preapproved by the far right-wing legal movement. They have agreed to consider a fringe legal theory pushed by the hard right.

Your vote affects your quality of life

By Georgia Dunston and Stephanie Myers

During recent informal discussions with GenZs (ages 18-24), we have been distressed to learn that many of them and their friends, do not understand the purpose of voting and are not sure if they are going to vote in the 2022 Midterm elections.

While there are excellent GenZ leaders who are pro-voting, other GenZs say that they and their friends are frustrated with confusion about how the political system works, and they are reaching the conclusion that voting is a waste of time. We disagree! It is our belief that all eligible citizens in America must vote because voting is a fundamental responsibility that affects the quality of everyday living for citizens, in America.

We wonder whether the anti-voting attitudes among some GenZs are the result of the civics classes being eliminated from K-12 schools, or whether parents, churches and the workplace are failing to educate youth that democracy works, only if citizens vote. Some of the GenZs we talked to did not seem to understand that individual voting is at the core of democracy, and that the people who are elected to political offices make critical decisions about everyday life in America—and many of those decisions affect them personally.

In today’s fractured world many people do not understand how the election of certain individuals to public office gives them power over important decisions. For example, elected officials decide daily whether or not violence is prevented or promoted by police, and law enforcement. They also decide if, how, and where affordable housing is provided, the quality of education, and access to affordable health services. Clearly much more is needed in civic education to help citizens understand the role of elected officials, and how to hold them accountable for their decisions.

to understand that the candidates they vote for will affect their lives in various ways. Below are listed four (4) examples of how elected officials use everyone’s tax dollars to either help to stop violence, or to promote violence:

• GOVERNORS: Control billion-dollar budgets from tax dollars, that fund prisons, police departments, court systems, and foster-care homes. Governors appoint Judges who will be fair, or who will employ systemic racism.

• MAYORS: Using local tax dollars Mayors hire or fire Police Chiefs, and City Attorneys who handle the criminal justice system. Mayors also fund local non-profit programs that can be either helpful or detrimental to Black communities that suffer from violence. Racist Mayors elected to office can appoint racist Police Chiefs who allow police officers to kill Black men with no consequences.

• DISTRICT ATTORNEYS: Voters elect District Attorneys who oversee court systems and Prosecutors who bring charges against individuals arrested by police and determine what crimes they will be charged with and how long they will spend in prison.

• JUDGES: People elect Judges who make decisions in the courts regarding who is innocent or guilty, and the punishment they will receive or if they get sent to rehabilitation programs.

Black Women for Positive Change is a multicultural, interfaith, intergenerational organization of predominately African American women and Good Brothers, and we believe individuals must understand their vote is important in the 2022 Midterm Elections, and in all elections.

We must find ways to help people understand that voting is personal—it is like paying taxes— you don’t have a choice. All eligible voters need

All of the people listed above are put into office by the vote, and that is why Black Women for Positive Change urges everyone to vote! We ask all readers to support the “John Lewis Good Trouble Voting Rights Pledge,” and to vote in the 2022 Midterm Elections. Please help GenZs, Millennials and all Voters to become leaders in getting One Million+ individuals to sign the Pledge and promise to vote! Everyone can sign the Pledge to vote at www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org

Dr. Georgia Dunston is chair of the Science Committee and co-chair of Voting Rights for Black Women for Positive Change.

Dr. Stephanie Myers, is national co-chair of Black Women for Positive Change, and co-chair of the Voting Rights Committee.

He sent them to the Capitol knowing that many were armed. And for hours, while members of the Capitol Police were being brutalized, and members of Congress and Vice President Pence’s security detail were calling loved ones, not sure they would live through the attack, Trump did nothing.

Well, to be more accurate, he did nothing to stop the rampage. He did plenty of harmful things.

He did watch the violence on television. He did pour gasoline on the fire by denouncing Pence while the attack was under way. He did take calls from fearful members of Congress only to dismiss their pleas for help. He did reject direct appeals from his own daughter to call off the attack. He did tell his chief of staff that he didn’t think the mob chanting “hang Mike Pence” was doing anything wrong. He thought Pence deserved it for choosing the Constitution over Trump’s desire to keep his grip on power. Only when it was becoming clear that the at-

If the court’s new activist far-right majority embraces this legal theory, it would let state legislators violate state constitutions and ignore and override the will of the voters. And it would be impossible for courts to step in as a check on anti-democratic abuses of power. This is a battle plan for authoritarian rule. It may be hard for many people to believe just how extreme Trump’s movement and his political supporters have become, and just how much of a threat to democracy they pose as we approach this year’s congressional elections. The January 6 committee has done democracy a big favor by dragging important truths into the light of day. We can’t turn away from them. To preserve our country and our freedoms, we must recognize that they are threatened. And we must act to protect them.

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Red Tail Cadet Class II flying high after graduation

St. Louis American staff

The second group of Red Tail Cadets to graduate the program in 2022 recently celebrated graduation and includes six members from Ferguson-Florissant School District high schools.

The residential six-week flight-training instruction introduces students to the aviation industry and to develops skills through classroom instruction, flight simulator training, daily in-aircraft flight training, financial literacy seminars, leadership training, and life-skills development, with the goal of setting them on the path towards a career in the aviation industry.

The Red Tail Cadet Program honors the heroic legacy

of young African American pilots who trained at Tuskegee University and became known as The Tuskegee Airmen. The corps’ ranks included St. Louisans James L. McCullin, Hugh J. White and Lewis John Lynch. The local chapter is named after White, and McCullin was one of the first Black pilots killed in World War II.

Selected from a pool of applicants, the cadets were chosen based on their academic ability, community involvement, and their aptitude for success in a rigorous aviation program.

The Red Tail Cadet Program is sponsored by The Crossing, Elite Aviation, The Mann Family Foundation, Holland Law, Boeing, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Spirit Jets, FergusonFlorissant School District, and Undivided Wealth Management.

Are Black women tired?

By Sharwin Wiltz-Boney

I recently viewed a video from a man named Joshua Dillard.

His first words were “Black Women are Tired!”

As a Black woman, of course I wanted to hear him out, even while being completely over this thing about men making decisions and telling us how we feel.

He declared that Black women are tired of shouldering responsibilities that were never meant to be theirs solely. Black women want to support their man and nurture their families while pursuing things they are passionate about. Instead, they have had to step up to the plate to lead their families, according to Dillard.

The online debate ran along gender lines with many Black women agreeing and Black men saying, “Wait, hold up! We have been here and contributing.”

Reading the different perspectives, got me to thinking.

Are Black Women really tired? Am I tired?

Are you tired?

Our answers may be different. But our commitment to God, family, and community has never wavered. As passionate as we have been in seeing to the care of family and community, has that same passion, same loyalty, and honor been returned?

If we are tired, maybe our weariness is in sowing into the lives of others with little return.

If we are tired, maybe the same way we have sought the freedom of those around us is the same fight we need from family and community on behalf of us.

If we are tired, maybe the partnerships we have engaged in are needy, more than partnering and we need more.

If we are tired, maybe we need family and community to go in hard for us.

Black women have stood on the sidelines, often navigating the game unseen. We have supported. We have aided, birthed, and nurtured generations. We have carried our load, and that of others for years. This, while our health went unattended, our dreams put on the shelf, our essence copied, and our Kings dissing.

Tired or not tired, Black women deserve to be respected, loved, and cherished. We deserve space to breathe, to dream, to explore, to soar.

So, while the debate rages on, to the Black women that are holding things down, may you find rest and peace.

May you soar, sis, uninhibited, unbothered, untethered, unworried, and free. Free to love deeply, free to dream, free to fight for what you believe in.

May God’s peace and mercy greet you every morning and each night as you rest.

May your sense of self and enough-ness be rooted in the King who knows you best.

I pray your laughter is loud, friendships are strong, your pockets are deep, and a brilliant, loving, God-fearing man scoops you up if he has not already and that’s your desire.

Dance, sis. Slay, friend. Let’s go seize the day!

Sharwin Wiltz-Boney is a Trice Edney Wire Service columnist and Houston area Realtor.

The 2022 Red Tail Cadet Class II from left are: Tyrese Walker (McCluer High School), Grace Ford (STEAM Academy at MSB), Micah Riggs (McCluer North), Pastor Anthony Meyers, the program’s founder, Anyah Brown (McCluer High School), Capt. Derreck Beal, Jr. (STEAM Academy at MSB), and Jalen Reynolds (McCluer High School).

Photo courtesy of St. Louis County / Red Tail Cadets

Sharwin Wiltz-Boney

structures that could be classified as vacant, according to the St. Louis Vacancy Collaborative, a coalition of community members, private and nonprofit organizations, and local government agencies working to reduce the value-draining effect of vacant property in St. Louis. An additional 872 buildings had at least one indicator of vacancy, according to the Collaborative’s website.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones acknowledged to The American and Type Investigations that residents could rightly complain that not enough has been done about the problem, which has festered in the northern stretches of the city for decades.

At least $37 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, sent from the feds to combat the pernicious impacts of COVID-19 — and potentially $150 million more — is expected to flow into north St. Louis neighborhoods, according to Jones and an official with St. Louis Development Corporation, the city’s development agency.

Meanwhile, rehabbers are attacking the problem from the ground up, and the inside out.

On a slightly overcast spring morning, Michael Woods — accompanied by his team from Dream Builders for Equity — stood with his back to a work in progress on Mallinckrodt Street, and peered into the future.

Dream Builders, a nonprofit that counts Woods as co-founder, president and chief

DCA

Continued from A1 submitted incomplete or incorrect applications helping more than 500 St. Louisans complete

executive, has been buying disheveled homesteads in north St. Louis and where structurally possible, reviving them with new innards. If the bones are too far gone, the existing structures are removed to make way for new construction. The end game, said Woods, is to create neighborhoods once again teeming with life.

“Our values [are] really centered around creating hope and being extremely positive … changing the narrative about north St. Louis, trying to get people to be super excited,” he said.

Dream Builders currently is focused on a 50-project development in the Hyde Park neighborhood — one of six neighborhoods near a $1.7 billion defense department

their applications to get the necessary funds they need to stay afloat.

Michelle Tucker, United Way president and CEO, says that the DCA program was an opportunity to get resources to struggling families so

construction project that will house the western headquarters of the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency. The neighborhoods are slated for extra attention from the city under a program dubbed Project Connect.

Of the 50 Dream Builders projects, 25 are expected to be rehabs of vacant properties that will be sold to first-time homeowners. The remaining 25 would involve free home renovations for seniors for projects valued up to $10,000.

“It could be in a bathroom, it could be in the kitchen or it could be a … deck,” Woods said. “It could be a fence, a picket, white fence, anything that could potentially add equity and value to the house.”

Funds for the projects come

they wouldn’t have to decide between paying rent or buying groceries, or buying life-saving medication.

“United Way has been serving the St. Louis region for 100 years. Because of this, we have long standing relationships

the area, where a nearby 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is listed for $14,900 and the seller of a 3-bedroom home is seeking $58,000.

He estimates that the organization has spent more than $250,000 on a project at 1522 and 1524 Mallinckrodt.

Also the organization has completed free repairs on 15 homes owned by neighborhood seniors since 2020, Woods said, pushing it more than halfway to its 25-home goal.

Ideally, he added, the aim is to build on what’s there.

“We are very heavily focused on rehabbing vacant properties because we believe in bringing the houses back to the original glory that they had,” he said. “We love these original structure houses and that’s what the community likes.”

in part from donations. Forms on file with the IRS show that in 2019, the most recent year available, show that revenue nearly doubled from the previous year to $245,545 and assets more than doubled to $124,597.

One of the organization’s earliest projects, also on Mallinckrodt, turned quickly from a rehab to a tear-down. The structure was “leaning on another property,” he said. The now vacant lot will become the site of the organization’s first new build, perhaps as soon as next year.

In August, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath Hyde Park home the organization remodeled last year was under contract for $95,000, Woods said. That price can help boost values in

with local businesses, providers and government agencies and extensive knowledge of community needs, so we are uniquely positioned to partner in new and innovative ways like this program so we can get more support to individuals and families in our communities,” Tucker said.

“The St. Louis response echoed how the extra $500 highlighted the deep need for help and support,” said Mayor Jones.

8th Ward Alderwoman Ann Rice says that helping the citizens of St. Louis in this way is a dignified response to addressing poverty in our city.

“Folks here in St. Louis need a little more help to get by anything we can do to help make their lives better and we’re going to do what we can,” said Rice.

According to the summary report, north St. Louis city zip code 63106 had the highest number of recipients, with

Brown said her company has “renovated, probably … over 100 vacant properties” in Kansas City, and has a “mission in Kansas City to create 1,000 new homeowners,” adding, “we’re, like, at 442.”

When she began searching for redeemable properties in north St. Louis she initially encountered tough sledding.

Her search came at the urging of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, which is helping neighborhood groups use the courts to unblock the legal logjam that can sometimes keep vacant properties from being rehabbed by new owners.

Yet she said most properties she looked at initially “needed to be torn down.” One was so full of mold, she felt it threatened her health.

She settled on the vacant property in the 3500 block of Blair Avenue as the “lesser of all the evils” and it became the

between 900 and 1,050 residents receiving funding. The report also shows downtown, JeffVanderLou, and Old North neighborhoods with some of the highest numbers of recipients

company’s first vacancy rehab project in St. Louis.

When Keys hosted the grand opening for the St. Louis office in January, it launched with a mission to create 100 new Black homeowners in 12 months, she said. “Blair was our number one.” Ultimately, though, she spent thousands in un-recouped expenses on that project.

Now she’s working on a vacant property on Lewis Place, which her company acquired this year. That was after the property garnered more than $200 in fees for forestry department maintenance and a resident complained to the city that the building was “unsecured,” according to records with the St. Louis Vacancy Collaborative.

On this one “I have to make a profit,” she said. “I can’t take a loss on this one.”

She said the sales process might be easier if she focused on a different community within the metro area, such as Florissant in St. Louis County. Then she quickly did a U-turn.

“I have such a connection to the urban core,” she said. “Our main focus everywhere we go is the urban core and revitalizing it. And one way that we knew [how] to help, was to help people become homeowners as opposed to renters. So what I’ve tried to do is [rehabilitate] homes in an affordable manner so that people can afford them.”

“I feel this …urgency to do so much.”

Research assistance by Paco Alvarez and Nina Zweig of Type Investigations. Logo by Kyle Alcott. Produced with support from Report For America. End of series

Many reported a high need for financial support and expressed they used the money for basic necessities.

“The Students in Transition team was pleased to help coordinate this distribution of DCA funds with our partners at the City and the United Way,” said Dr. Deidra Thomas-Murray, Students in Transition Coordinator.

– 8th Ward Alderwoman Ann Rice

Through August, the program has served more than 9,000 households, and the city has also partnered with Missouri Jobs with Justice to survey fund recipients on their experience with the application process.

“From our standpoint, the in-person process was seamless, and we were able to walk people through the process in a very personal way. All-in-all, it was a great opportunity to put much needed funds in the hands of more than 400 predominantly unhoused young people and families of Saint Louis Public Schools.”

The mayor’s office plans to have a final report by the end of November.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter n “Folks here in St. Louis need a little more help to get by anything we can do to help make their lives better and we’re going to do what we can.”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Tenesia Keys of Keys Realty Group wants to refurbish north St. Louis like this home in the city’s Lewis Place neighborhood.

president.

On March 1, 2022, Smith was named the 21st HarrisStowe State University president. She became the university’s first African American woman to serve as president, following the legacy of Ruth Harris, the first Black woman to serve as Stowe Teachers College president in 1940.

“Our university is a jewel in the St. Louis crown,” Smith said upon becoming president.

“I want to be a living example for Black and brown girls, letting them know that their dreams are possible. When the going gets tough, they can take a moment to reflect on my trajectory — and how I worked my way up the ranks to get to the place where I am today — to know they can do it, too.”

For her outstanding leadership at Harris-Stowe and steadfast support for education, Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith has been named the 2022 St. Louis American Foundation Stellar Performer in Education. She will be honored during the milestone 35th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Banquet on Saturday October 1, at America’s Center downtown.

Michael McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO and chair of the HSSU Board of Regents said, “Dr. Collins Smith exemplifies HarrisStowe’s core values of Personal Growth, Respect, Innovation,

Elder

Continued from A1 as the Dean of the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL).

Elder is the first African American female in the nation to lead a school of optometry.

The accolade is a bit bittersweet.

“From the perspective that it’s 2022 and this milestone should have happened a long time ago, it’s disappointing that it took this long. But Elder added humbly: “I’m glad it has finally happened. It will show others that there’s an opportunity for them to do the same thing.”

Elder’s path to the role she now serves should serve as inspiration to any high school student who’s unsure about their ultimate academic desire.

“I always liked math and science so, I always knew that I’d go into an area that was science,” Elder joked, explaining how she earned her undergraduate degree in science teaching secondary math at S. Carolina’s Clemson University. Like her parents, she thought she wanted to teach which she did for a short time at a high school in Columbia S. Carolina. Although she liked teaching, she didn’t feel it was going to be her career choice. She decided to instead pursue a master’s degree in actuarial science (a discipline that using mathematical and statistical methods to assess financial risks).

It didn’t take her long to realize that the life of an actuary didn’t suit her either. Also at Clemson, Elder attended an optometry workshop. She remembered how she and a friend drove to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Optometry (UABSO) to check out their program. Elder found the field of optometry fascinating on many levels.

“It’s just really, really cool,” Elder gushed. “When you’re talking about eye care, you’re, of course, talking about helping people see better. Vision and sight are very important to people having a productive life.

“But also, by looking at someone’s eyes, you can tell if someone has high blood pressure, diabetes, certain autoimmune diseases…you can just learn a lot about people’s health by looking in their eyes.”

Elder was so impressed that she took the school’s optometry admissions test. She did well and was invited to enroll at the university.

Elder’s career trajectory took off even before she graduated UAB’s School of Optometry. Through another career workshop, she was exposed to mil-

Diversity, and Excellence.”

“She has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with all of our stakeholders and to catapult Harris-Stowe forward in these critical times.”

Smith brought more than two decades of leadership experience to the president’s office, with a background in administration and program development.

She began her career in higher education at HSSU in 2010 and served as the co-principal investigator of a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to strengthen

itary benefits. The Navy, she learned offered a scholarship that would pay for her last three years of optometry school and reimburse her for books and equipment. Dr. Melvin Shipp, the first African American to join UABSO’s faculty in 1976, was in the Navy Reserves at the time and wrote a recommendation letter for Elder. She joined in 1998 and quickly ascended to assistant head optometrist at the Naval Medical Clinic in Annapolis, MD. Elder was quick to humorously downplay the accomplishment.

“There were only two optometrists there, so it’s not as good as it sounds.”

Elder met her husband, Keith while attending optometry school and the two were married in 1999. Elder signed up for another two-year stint with the Navy and served at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. from 2001 to 2003.

She moved back to S. Carolina after her husband completed his PhD and got a job with the department of public health. Elder, who was out of the Navy by then, went to work for Pearle Vision knowing it wasn’t a position she wanted permanently.

In 2004, Elder entered the world of academia at the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology where she held assistant and associate professor roles as a faculty member. She joined the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) in 2011 before returning to UABSO in 2016.

Even after earning multiple degrees, Elder continued to push herself. She took an online course and won a degree in diversity, equity, and inclusion and, by 2020, became UABSO’s first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Although optometry is her chosen field, “diversity work,” based on her own experiences, is also a passion.

“I have an understanding how much grit and determination it takes to be successful. It’s hard when you feel alone all the time,” Elder explained, adding: “Because I know how it feels, I really work to make sure the world of optometry looks like the people we serve. I want everybody-not just minorities-no matter what you look like, your religion, your creed, your gender, or sexual orientation-I want everybody to be able to come to school, go to the clinics, be a faculty or staff member and just be their authentic selves.”

Elder, in an August 31 interview with the St. Louis Business Journal, spoke about the importance of institutions to “walk the talk,” stressing the importance that faculty, staff

STEM education in the state of Missouri.

Last week, it was announced that Harris-Stowe will receive $2.6 million of a $25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The resources will be directed to the university’s Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement [MECCA] and Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Earlier this year, the school

and students represent the people optometrists will eventually serve.

“The only way that we can really change the face of the profession is by making sure that we have a diverse representation of the profession within our schools and colleges of optometry,” Elder said.

As Dean of UMSL’s College of Optometry Elder said she plays the dual role as an example of inclusion and a facilitator

became a partner educational institution in the Taylor Geospatial Institute “which further advances our STEM Agenda at Harris-Stowe State University,” Smith said.

“We are excited about the spirit of collaboration among the member institutions, who will all work together on exciting new geospatial research.”

Achievements during Smith’s tenure include HSSU and The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College partnering to reserve four spots in the Goldfarb nursing program for Harris-Stowe

of all-around diversity.

“To change the face of optometry, you have to get more students to enter the field and graduate and become optometrists and become faculty members. They play a large role in recruiting students and helping make sure they graduate. Sometimes it just takes someone saying, ‘You know what, you’ll be great as a faculty member.

“It is my responsibility as an

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith is HarrisStowe State University’s 21st president, and first African American woman to serve in the position. Smith has been named the 2022 St. Louis American Foundation Stellar Performer in Education.

Renovations for the former Vashon Community Center Building, which will become home to the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and National Black Radio Hall of Fame, are also underway.

Smith is also a valued civic leader in the St. Louis region, serving as chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission of Missouri. She is a member of the Downtown Advisory Board for Greater St. Louis, Inc., and is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Smith attended St. Louis Public Schools and is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, where she majored in social work. She earned a Master of Social Work degree and a Master of Public Health degree from Saint Louis University and an educational doctorate in higher education leadership from Maryville University in St. Louis.

students.

Knowing that costs are a factor, Smith helped craft a plan in which those four students will receive scholarships and can begin their nursing education during their desired term, rather than being added to a wait list. Students accepted into the nursing program will be charged the same tuition rate as they pay at Harris-Stowe.

During her tenure as interim president, the University has raised more than $3.5M in scholarships, donations, including those designated to endowments, as well as grants.

African American optometrist and as a dean to make sure I identify these students, minority or not. As the faculty mirrors the population more and more, students will see people who look like them so they feel they can do it also.

As Dean, Elder has a simple yet profound list of priorities: Graduating more outstanding optometrists; Moving the profession forward; Broadening the university’s research capacities.

Honorary Chairs named Three area leaders have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the St. Louis American Foundation’s Milestone 35th anniversary Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala. Serving as co-chairs for the event will be St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.

While doing all those things and more, Elder stressed, she wants to ensure they are “developing and molding and cultivating a diverse optometry environment with our staff, students, faculty and with our patients. It’s important, Elder said adding: “Because with diversity, there’s strength.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

FEMA still offering flooding assistance

Deadline in Oct. 7, 2022

St. Louis American staff

People impacted by the July 25-28 flooding and severe storms throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County can still apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The deadline to file for assistance is Oct. 7, 2022. According to FEMA’s Issa Mansaray, FEMA continues to assist both renters and homeowners on a case-by-case basis. More than $29.3 million in individual assistance grants have been approved for more than 9,400 households.

In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid $15.2 million in claims for policyholders and the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] has approved more than $11.4 million in disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.

FEMA representatives are still canvassing St. Louis-area neighborhoods affected by the flooding to help people, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and free legal assistance are available to survivors.

Online applications are being accepted at DisasterAssistance. gov,, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA mobile app.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For needs not covered by insurance or other sources, FEMA may be able to provide Individual Assistance grant money that does not have to be repaid for:

• Rental Assistance if you need to relocate because of flood damage

• Personal Property that was damaged or destroyed by flooding

•Lodging Reimbursement if you had to stay in a hotel temporarily

• Basic Home Repairs for homeowners whose primary residence was damaged by flooding

• Other Serious Needs caused by recent flooding

In addition to the assistance listed, please note the following: Only one application per household and FEMA does not pay for lost or spoiled food. By law, FEMA is not allowed to duplicate insurance payments or assistance provided by other sources.

You can apply with FEMA, even if you have insurance. The law does not allow FEMA to duplicate insurance benefits. However, FEMA may be able to help with items that insurance does not cover:

• Rental assistance and lodging expense reimbursement not available through flood insurance.

• Repair assistance for uninsurable items such as wells, septic systems, and privately owned access roads.

• Vehicle repair or replacement that is not covered under liability policies.

You do not have to wait for your insurance settlement before you apply with FEMA.

Renters and homeowners could be eligible for immediate assistance. There is a one-year limit to submit your settlement to see

if you qualify for any additional assistance.

People in need of assistance should have the following information prepared when filing with FEMA.

Phone number where you can be contacted Address at the time of the flooding Address where you are staying now

Social Security number of one member of the household

Basic list of damage and losses

Bank information if you choose direct deposit for any FEMA money that may be awarded you

Insurance Information if you have insurance, including the policy number

FEMA still has six Disaster Recovery Centers open to provide one-on-one assistance, and they are

a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Saturday.

The center locations are:

the corner of Newstead

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/ St. Louis American

Missouri on Tuesday, July 26,

Ferguson Empowerment Summit set for Sept. 10

home improvements, and is targeting prospective homebuyers and existing homeowners.

The Ferguson Neighbor-

Empowerment Summit will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis in partnership with Community Forward, Inc. (CFI), Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC), and Forestwood Community Development Corporation will host the event.

“The best homeowner is a healthy homeowner, is a theme of the summit, and it is a reason the Urban League is providing health resources in the same space with housing resources. COVID-19 testing along with other health care screenings will be provided to attendees.

The Summit is promoting neighborhood enhancement through homeownership and

Vendors representing the financial and real estate industries plus other industries will provide information on the homebuying process and facilitate access to various loan products.

Grants, forgivable loans, and workshops related to minor home repairs will be provided for existing homeowners.

Black homeownership, at 43.4%, remains lower than it was a decade ago. And it is nearly 30 percentage points behind the white homeownership rate of 72.1%, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Hispanic homeownership rate rose to an all-time high, reaching over 50% for the first time, and the Asian homeownership rate is 61.7%.

“Today, homeownership is the principal source of wealth creation for most American households,” said Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in a May 2022 statement.

“Unfortunately, NAR’s report confirms that Black Americans are being locked out of homeownership opportunities at an even higher rate than a decade ago.” Black and Hispanic Americans report being rejected for mortgages at a higher rate than their White and Asian peers and Black Americans report higher incidence of discrimination in a real estate transaction, according to NAR. Black households are also the most likely of any group of homebuyers to be weighed down with student loan debt, which can prevent prospective home buyers from saving for a down payment. The 41% of Black households with student debt is more than twice that of Asian households at 18% and nearly twice that of white households at 22%, while 26% of Hispanic households have student debt. Summit sessions will include Protecting Your Financial Future; Property and Estate Planning Neighborhood Organization; Minor Home Repairs; and Weatherizing Your Home. Attendees will have opportunities to win attendance prizes.

Do not get comfortable

There are supporters of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner who gave sighs of relief when the Missouri Supreme Court brought its four-year ethics violation investigation to an end last week.

I say, not so fast. While the stuff thrown at Gardner didn’t stick this time, there are scoundrels that have access to bottomless barrels of crap. An investigative reporter could take us down the rabbit hole to expose the tactics and the players in this last probe. No one has taken it on, so I’ll give you my short, unvarnished version.

The case got so convoluted that most people don’t remember what it was about. At the heart of the ethics violation case was the allegation that Gardner’s personal written notes did not disclose when the Circuit Attorney’s Office took on then-Missouri Governor Eric Greitens in a privacy invasion crime involving his lover.

The court’s reprimand came a month after Greitens’ failed bid for Missouri’s U.S. Senate seat. Coincidence in timing?

I don’t think so. Gardner was fined $750. When the ethics story first broke on the national scene, attorney friends assured me the charges against Gardner were going nowhere. Attorneys inadvertently and routinely make similar mistakes. I reminded them that this is the city’s first Black female prosecutor. She is a prosecutor who believes that no one is above the law, and she attempted to practice that philosophy.

The goals of this witch hunt

to end Gardner’s public service career, and consequently squash her reform agenda, were two-fold: to strip the Circuit Attorney of her law license and to defame her reputation.

Gardner’s law license still hangs on her wall. If her re-election in 2020 was any indication of her popularity, then efforts to assassinate her character were not successful either.

There was damage done-collateral and otherwise, seen and unseen.

The public smear campaign against Gardner was expansive, a pile-on that involved mostly, mainstream media outlets which were extremely happy

n The goals of this witch hunt to end Gardner’s public service career, and consequently squash her reform agenda, were two-fold: to strip the Circuit Attorney of her law license and to defame her reputation.

to join. In their words, the circuit attorney is a bumbling idiot with no legal acumen or management skills. Some media members often pointed to the loss of staff as evidence of this accusation. There will inevitably be house cleaning when an elected official with a reform agenda comes into office. Just ask District Attorney Larry Krasner in Philadelphia. The law firm which defended Kim Gardner spent nearly $1 million on her defense. Taxpayers won’t get stuck with

that bill, but we do have an invoice. The expense tally on the taxpayers’ side is difficult to calculate but it easily tops $1 million.

This investigation was designed to be a major distraction, making it challenging for Gardner to focus on the People’s Agenda. Whether there was a direct correlation between being dragged through the political mud and the passage of BB 47 for Police Accountability, the CAO now has additional funding and powers to do the job even better. The new Public Integrity Unit has money for investigators to do real investigations of police involved shootings and wrongful convictions.

Kim Gardner is back on track. Shortly after her so-called reprimand, she filed a motion to vacate the wrongful conviction of Lamar Johnson, incarcerated for 30 years. There are others waiting in the queue for their freedom, like Fredrico LoweBey who has served 34 years of injustice. The cases of Bertha Owens, Christopher Dunn and Michael Whitfield are also looking for the light of justice.

I expect that St. Louis police will continue to send suspects to the Circuit Attorney’s office with scant evidence, forcing the office to either drop charges or keep the case open until sufficient evidence is produced.

I expect that Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmidt, who has been a thorn in Gardner’s side, got some nasty tricks up his sleeve before he goes to Washington, D.C. for his new gig.

The good ole boy’s network is desperately trying to hold onto power in the face of a Black majority city. That means taking down anything or anyone in its path. Justice-seeking folks need to expose their racist antics at every turn.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

“Taking Care of You”

SLU COVID-19 vaccine trial seeks volunteers

Minority candidates are essential

Founded in 1989, the St. Louis University Center for Vaccine Development has helped create numerous vaccines. It is enrolling clinical trial volunteers for the second stage of a Phase 1 vaccine trial designed to test safety, tolerability, and immune response to second-generation COVID-19 vaccines. Minority volunteers can play a vital role in this research.

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

The

African American participation in clinical trials is invaluable to medial research and is essential in helping reduce the health care divide in America. Not all treatments for various illnesses are the same for all people. The larger number of Black volunteers in clinical trials, the greater chance of finding the right path to proper treatments for Black patients.

St. Louis University researchers are enrolling volunteers in the second stage of a Phase 1 vaccine trial designed to test safety, tolerability, and immune response to second-generation COVID-19 vaccines.

People who have received a primary vac-

n Not all treatments for various illnesses are the same for all people. The larger number of Black volunteers in clinical trials, the greater chance of finding the right path to proper treatments for Black patients.

cination series of either an approved mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna mRNA) or the approved Johnson & Johnson recombinant adenovirus (Ad.26) COVID-19 vaccine and a single booster vaccination (with an mRNA vaccine

are eligible to volunteer.

Those who have already received a second booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are not eligible.

Minority participation important

In April 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] release its “Diversity Plans to Improve Enrollment of Participants from Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Populations in Clinical Trials” guideline.

“Race and ethnicity can serve as surrogates for biological differences in drug response. For instance, race-based differences in the metabolism and disposition of some drugs

Protecting maternal health after childbirth

Missouri mortality rate 7th in nation

By Dwayne Proctor

Bringing a new baby home can be a time that passes in a happy blur for most families. Weeks of lost sleep and teething give way to sharing photos of milestones with family and friends, while parents look back fondly on their child’s first year. Unfortunately, not all childbirth experiences start this way – especially in the U.S., which has the highest maternal mortality rate among all developed countries. What’s more, Missouri has the seventh highest rate in the nation. As I reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services’ recent annual report on maternal health in Missouri, another sobering statistic surfaced: three-fourths of maternal deaths within a year of childbirth are preventable.

An analysis in the Missouri Independent lays out the tragic and avoidable trends about access to care and systemic health inequities.

• Moms on Medicaid lose their coverage two months after birth and are eight times more likely to die within a year of pregnancy than those with private health insurance.

n One unexpected finding: the biggest underlying cause of death (almost 33%) for new moms was mental health conditions.

• Moms-to-be who have high-risk pregnancies and are living in rural areas have less access to adequate care. In Missouri, 99 out of 114 counties are rural according to the biennial rural health report Hospital and maternity ward closings mean patients have to have a reliable vehicle, gas, and time to drive farther for care – sometimes across state lines or more than an hour one way.

Proactive ways to lower dementia disparity

Dr. Carl V. Hill makes it his mission

By JoAnn Weaver For The St. Louis American

Alzheimer’s and other dementia disproportionately affect older Black and Hispanic Americans compared to older Whites, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, discussed with the St. Louis American how recent research ties poor social determinants of health and health equity issues to disproportionate rates of dementia in minority populations.

n New research from the Alzheimer’s Association shows lower-quality neighborhood resources and difficulty paying for basic needs were associated with lower scores on cognitive tests among Black and Latino individuals.

“Socio-economic status reflects a family’s access to economic resources and social position,” he said. “Socioeconomic status has been linked to both physical and psychological health, but little has been known about how this status in early to mid-life affects the brain.” New research from the Alzheimer’s Association shows lower-quality neighborhood resources and difficulty paying for basic needs were associated with lower scores on cognitive tests among Black and Latino individuals.

Dr. Carl V. Hill, Alzheimer’s Association chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, says research proves socio-economic status is linked to physical and psychological health, “but little has been known about how this status in early to midlife affects the brain.”

Photo courtesy of Saint Louis University

Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association

Dwayne Proctor

Trial

Continued from A12

due to genetic variations have been identified. These differences can require alterations in drug dosing to achieve the desired result,” the FDA states.

However, “the makeup of clinical trial participants remains biased for the white population.” In February 2021, the FDA reported the demographics of clinical trial participants involved in 53 drug approvals in 2020. It found that 75% of the 32,000 patients enrolled were white, whereas 8% were Black or African American, 6% were Asian, and 11% were Hispanic.

The FDA calls its report, “an important effort to address

Dementia

Continued from A12

“The takeaway here is that the new research adds to the point that socio-economic status impacts health, which emphasizes the importance of public health and policy making that impacts socio-economic conditions,” he said.

“We focus a lot on getting people to change their behaviors, but we have to think critically about getting them resources in a sustained way to make sure they have access to quality foods, opportunities to engage in physical activity, opportunities to manage their stressors, and so on.”

According to Hill, additional health equity issues tied to Alzheimer’s include dementia-related health disparities and minority participation in clinical trials.

“We know that African Americans are two times more likely to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia in addition to Hispanics and Latinos being one and a half more likely to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia when both are compared to white Americans,” Dr. Hill said. “These disparities show how these communities are disproportionately affected, and from an equity perspective, we have to do better with representation in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related trials because less than 10% of clinical trial participants come from an African American, Hispanic, or Latino community.” Dr. Hill attributed the lack

Proctor

Continued from A12

• Black women in Missouri are three times more likely to die in the year after giving birth than white women, and more likely to start prenatal care later in their pregnancies. This disparity persists regardless of education and income, both here and nationally.

One unexpected finding: the biggest underlying cause of death (almost 33%) for new moms was mental health conditions. Substance use disorder was a factor for all deaths in this category, existing with other mental health conditions about 60% of the time.

The challenge is significant, but there is a path forward. Missouri’s Medicaid expansion means more people can access health care before conception, which can mitigate risk factors. Further, extending Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year post-childbirth would ensure that health care services would be available when moms are most likely to die.

Let’s do what we can to make more parenting stories happy ones.

Dwayne Proctor is Missouri Foundation For Health president and CEO.

inequities by increasing participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials and ultimately improving our nation’s health in the face of changing demographics.”

Making new vaccines

The investigational COVID19 vaccines being researched are different from current approved vaccines and could provide advantages over boosting with one of the approved vaccines. They are designed to elicit an immune response to multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins, in addition to the spike protein targeted by currently available vaccines made by Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

The vaccine trial is also designed to elicit more exten-

“Taking Care of You”

sive T cell responses, which are not elicited by the approved vaccines.

According to researchers, targeting several coronavirus proteins, could lead to future vaccines that could enhance protection against a wide variety of SARS-CoV-2 strains and variants.

“We need to develop new COVID-19 vaccines that can protect against future SARSCoV-2 variants that develop which the investigational vaccines we are studying in this trial have the potential to do, while providing protection in the form of T cells,” said Dr. Daniel Hoft, professor of medicine, molecular microbiology and immunology, director of the Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development.

According to Getahun Abate, M.D., principal investigator for the trial at SLU, “great strides have been made in overcoming the initial havoc caused by the COVID19 pandemic.” “Vaccines are now available for prevention of COVID-19. However, because the virus is changing itself to become more transmissible and sometimes more deadly, we should not lose focus and should continue our endeavors to bring forth improved vaccines.

“We want new vaccines that give protection against circulating and newly emerging strains as well as provide a long-lasting immunity. To achieve these goals, we want volunteers who already received EUA or approved

COVID-19 vaccines to participate in an ongoing investigational vaccine study at Saint Louis University,” Abate said. How to participate

To enroll, participants must be older than 60 years of age, healthy, without significant allergies, and have been vaccinated and boosted once against COVID-19 at least four months prior to enrollment. Participants will be asked to:

• Make 9 to 14 or more study clinic visits in-person and will also receive one to two telephone check-ins with the study staff over 12 to 14 months.

• Receive one or two injections of an investigational

of minority participation and representation in dementia-related clinical trials to previous unethical medical trials including the landmark Tuskegee Experiment.

“We know we have to do

more to get beyond the stigma around participating in clinical trials, which bioethics atrocities created around African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native populations as well in getting involved clinical trials,”

he said.

Much of the Alzheimer’s research to date has not included enough Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native Americans to be representative of the U.S. population.

“Some research says that some communities are not being asked to participate in these trials, which means the researchers are not equipped in either the expertise or the resources to do a good job

booster vaccine.

• Have blood drawn several times for safety monitoring and to see whether the vaccine resulted in an immune response.

• Keep track of how they’re feeling after the injection. Interested participants should contact: The Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development at vaccine@slu. edu, or call (866) 410-6333

For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials. gov. The study’s Clinical Trials Identifier is NCT04776317. For more information on the FDA effort to increase minority participation in clinical trials, visit fda.gov.

of recruitment; recruitment requires community engagement,” Dr. Hill said. The underrepresentation of these populations not only hinders the ability of researchers to understand these health disparities, but it also restricts their knowledge of how an approved therapy or diagnostic may affect the populations most likely to need the treatment.

Dr. Hill went on to say researchers can successfully gather more diverse trial participants by partnering with community organizations to build trust in communities around the country.

As a result of his leadership, the Association has broadened its reach to previously underserved communities with partners such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, National Indian Council on Aging, National Black Nurses Association, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Dr. Hill’s role as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Alzheimer’s Association is responsible for developing cross-functional partnerships with organizations to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The bipartisan Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act, looks to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer’s and other dementia clinical trials by expanding education and outreach to these populations, encouraging the diversity of clinical trial staff, and reducing participation burden, among other priorities.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church [AME] is a partner with the Alzheimer’s Association in educating African Americans about the disease. Bishop Harry L. Seawright, president of the Council of Bishops and chair of the Commission on Health said, “This important partnership will help extend the Alzheimer’s Association reach into communities served by the AME Church, providing more families care and support services, while engaging church members in all our work to end Alzheimer’s.”

Photo courtesy of Destiny Christian Center

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Dining Out.

GRAINS

Nutrition Challenge:

Ask yourself these questions:

What Is ASize?Serving

Summer Eating!

Think Before You Eat!

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Staying Active (Naturally)

Warm Up & Cool Down

First Day of Spring!

Summer!the

Do This. Not That!

Exercise Game

Be on the Lookout...

Tech-Neck

Ice can be dangerous for several different reasons.

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthcare Careers

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

> Do I feel good most of the time?

Once you’re out of school, many of you may have a lot of extra time on your hands to be snacking. Resist the urge to eat sweet, salty, fried and high-calorie non-nutritious snacks this summer.

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

INGREDIENTS:

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

> Do I have energy (or does your energy go up and down during the day)?

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

summer. Delicious juicy, ripe fruits are all around and are healthy for you too! Make it your goal to come back to school in the fall healthier and happier!

FoodDiary

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

> Can I keep up with my friends? If you answered “no” to one or more of these questions, it might be time to look at the kinds of food you eat. Food choices are important because the foods you eat are what keep your body strong and moving.

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.

Create a Smart Summer Eating plan with your parents. Ask their help in finding nutritious snacks and meals for the

Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

As the weather gets warmer, there are many ways that we can enjoy ourselves outdoors and stay healthy over the summer. Some naturally active things you can do include:

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Melissa Douglass, MSW

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

Review: What are some nutrition tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@stlamerican.com.

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

Challenge: Keep a food diary for one week. In a notebook, write down every single thing you eat and drink for seven days. At the end of the week, take a look at your diary. How many fruits and vegetables are in there? How many glasses of water? How much soda? Candy? As the Healthy Kids series continues, you’ll learn some very practical, easy changes you can make to your diet that will put you on the road to feeling happier and healthier!

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

Keisha Ross, Ph.D. Staff Psychologist

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC.

Where do you work? I am an EMT – B at Abbott EMS in Belleville, Illinois.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Where do you work? I am a staff psychologist at St. Louis Veterans Health Administration and owner of New Horizon Psychological Services, LLC.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH1

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Staying active, getting your heart rate up and opening your lungs will help you start off next school year happier and healthier!

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.

In addition to eating healthy, one of the best ways to be a Healthy Kid is to add daily exercise to your new lifestyle. Before you start—remember to:

> Walking to the store when possible.

> Wash your parent’s car.

> Help with yard work: planting, weeding, etc.

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

> Always stay safe. Exercise in areas that are well-lit and filled with others who are exercising.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lindbergh High School. I then attended the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where I studied biology.

Review: What are some exercise tips you learned by following The St. Louis American’s Healthy Kids page this school year? Send your answers to nie@ stlamerican.com.

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

> Check with your family doctor. Find out the right kinds of exercise for you.

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

> Play, play, play outside as much as you can!

Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc.

> Warm up and cool down. To get the most benefit out of exercise, spend at least a few minutes stretching, walking and bending before and after you exercise.

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

> Start slowly. Let your body adjust before you gradually increase time, distance, speed, etc.

Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior?

> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.

Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

Learning Standards: HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Want to Challenge Yourself? Set an exercise goal for your first week. On a piece of lined paper write the words “In

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

one week I will be…” and finish the sentence. It could be “I will be walking the neighborhood with my mom at least four nights a week.” After you have completed your weekly goal, go ahead and write out a monthly goal and an exercise goal for the end of the school year. Challenge yourself to increase your exercise level over the next several months.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Over the last 35 weeks we have discussed many smart choices that you can make to help you stay safe and healthy. Break into small groups and list as many Smart Choices that your group remembers. Now individually, choose one that you think is very important. Describe in your own words what that smart choice is, and how you can remember to make the right choice in the future. Name a new “smart choice“ that you will make this summer.

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

Health includes more than just nutrition and exercise. Smart choices, safety and happiness all affect our health. Every single day is filled with opportunities to make smart choices. Look in the newspaper for an example of someone who made a smart choice.

Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Learning Standards: HPE2, NH6

Cracker-wiches

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School in Decatur, Georgia. I earned a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. I then earned a Master of Science (Research) of, and Doctoral (Ph.D) in, Clinical Psychology from Saint Louis University.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

What does a staff psychologist do? I work in a hospital in which the patients are individuals who have served in the United States Military, known as a “veteran.” I conduct psychological testing and practice psychotherapy also known as “talk therapy” to help persons cope with general adjustments, challenge / difficulties, as well as mental health issues. I teach coping skills such as deep breathing, stress management and evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for mental health issues. I also am an adjunct instructor, teaching varied graduate courses, as well as I provide national and international training on topics of historical trauma, racial healing, diversity, equity and inclusion.

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your

> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH5, NH 7

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

> How bullying hurts others.

doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.

Summarize the article and explain why you think it was the right thing to do.

Easy Hummus Dip

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

Strawberry Smoothie

Learning Standards: HPE2, NH2, NH5, CA3

> What to do if you are bullied.

Banana PB Smoothie

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

Ingredients: 1 15-Oz Can Garbanzo beans

1 cup blueberries

> What other ice hazards are there?

Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

Ingredients: 6-8 Strawberries, hulled, sliced and frozen, 2 Tbsp Honey (optional), ¼ Cp Low-fat Milk, 2 Tbsp Greek Yogurt, 2 Ice Cubes, Small Splash of Vanilla Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

1 Garlic clove, crushed

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

1 Tbsp Honey (optional)

2 Tsp Cumin, 1 Tsp Olive oil, ½ Tsp Salt

What does an EMT do? My day-to-day includes helping others when they aren’t feeling their best. I also assist getting them to the hospital when they can’t take themselves. Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy helping others problem solve. Also, I have twin stepsons, one who wants to be a police officer, and the other who wants to be a doctor. I thought that being an EMT helped me to meet them both in the middle. And, back in 2018, I had my own medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The paramedic that took care of me was so comforting and assuring that I realized that becoming an EMT is an honorable career. I now work with that same paramedic, at the same company.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter, 1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 7, NH 5, NH 7

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips or raw vegetables.

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting and learning about new people and cultures every day. I also like the adrenaline of driving fast with sirens going to get to an emergency quickly.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I wanted to assist in healing of the mind and emotional wounds, particularly among the Black population due to the long-term impacts of historical trauma / oppression such as slavery and Jim Crow. What is your favorite part of the job you have? The favorite part of my job is seeing patients meet their goals. When I see them overcome fears / challenges, having gained the ability to live their best life, it’s a wonderfully satisfying experience.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Marnay Howard, EMT - B

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Participants in the 2022 St. Louis American’s Summer Science Academy use self-directed research to create illustrations showing the different parts of a cell.

The Science of Problem Solving: The Scientific Method

If you have ever tried to find a solution to a problem, you have used science. The first step is to identify the problem. In the experiment section on this page, the “problem” is that you are trying to keep an ice cube from melting. The second step is that you will form a theory. This is what you believe will fix the problem. It is also called a hypothesis. The third step is to test the hypothesis. Is your solution or design effective? What needs to be changed? The fourth step is to collect the data. This means you will write your observations or take measurements. Step five is to analyze

the data. How will the information help you tweak your design to make it more effective? Finally, step six is to draw conclusions. The conclusion will either be “yes” the hypothesis was correct, or “no” the hypothesis was incorrect. If the hypothesis was incorrect, you will use your data to change your original hypothesis and repeat the six steps. Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

SCIENCE STARS

African -American Inventions in the Classrooom

As you return to the classroom for a new school year, many items around the room were invented by African Americans. In this section, you will learn about a few of them.

Masking Tape and Clear Tape — Richard G. Drew received a patent for masking tape in 1923. Originally, this tape was used for painters and only had adhesives on the end, and not in the middle. Recognizing that tape could be used for many different purposes, Drew later made a clear tape with adhesive the entire length. It was called Scotch tape and was invented in 1930.

Pencil Sharpener — JL Love received a patent for a pencil sharpener on November 23, 1897. This design was a handheld sharpener that worked by placing the pencil into the opening of the sharpener and rotating by hand. The sharpener held the shavings. Many artists used this invention. This design is still being used today and can be found in many school desks.

Pen — W.B. Purvis invented the fountain pen which allowed people to write without having to carry a bottle of ink. He said, “The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable and inexpensive construction of a fountain pen which may be carried in the pocket.” He received his patent in January of 1890.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION Build a Cube Keeper!

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will design a container to keep an ice cube from melting quickly.

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard (less that one cubic foot)

• Waxed Paper • Masking Tape

• Newspaper • Aluminum Foil

• Rubber Bands • Ice Cubes

Process:

q Using these materials, make a container to see how long you can keep an ice cube from melting. Find out what works best to keep the heat away from the ice cube. For example, should you wrap the box in aluminum foil? Should you use the aluminum foil to line the inside of the box?

Use your math skills to solve these back-to-school themed word problems.

z The cafeteria sold 3 more turkey sandwiches than ham sandwiches. They sold 11 sandwiches in all. How many ham sandwiches did the cafeteria sell?

x Maria has 15 pens. All of the pens are either blue or black, and there are 5 more blue pens than black pens. How many black pens does Maria have?

DID YOU KNOW?

Work with a group to design your cube keeper. w Put an ice cube in the cube keeper. Take another ice cube and leave it out of the cube keeper. It will be your control. In 30 minutes, check both ice cubes. If at the end of 30 minutes, the control ice cube is the same size as the ice cube in your cube keeper, the container didn’t do much to keep the ice cube from melting. Analyze: Compare your results with other groups in your class. Which techniques were most effective? Why?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can apply the scientific method of problem solving and analyze results and draw conclusions.

c In Kirk’s music class there are 2 more boys than girls. There are 8 students in all. How many girls are there in Kirk’s class? ______ v Jackie and Kendall are part of their school’s relay race team. Each member of the team has to run for a half mile of a 3-mile race. How many members are on the race team? ______

Kitty litter was invented by Ed Lowe in 1947. A friend of Lowe complained that the ash she was using for her cat made a mess, and he created this solution.

b David bought a 3-ring binder for $4.49, a package of pencils for $1.19, and two packages of paper. What information is needed to find the total amount David spent before tax?

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

Folding Chair — The folding chair was invented by Nathaniel Alexander to be used in large gathering places, like church and school. Folding chairs are often used to add extra seating for musical programs, assemblies, meetings, etc. When the chairs are folded closed, they can be stored without taking up a lot of space.

Discuss: What are your favorite inventions in your classroom? Why? If you could invent something for your classroom, what would it be? How would it improve school?

Extension: Did you iron your clothes for school? Did you know that African American Sarah Boone invented a design for an ironing board? Maybe you placed your breakfast dishes in a dishwasher. You can thank Dennis Weatherby for inventing dishwasher detergent! How many mailboxes did you pass on the way to school? The mailbox was invented by Philip B. Downing so that people would not have to travel so far to the post office to send mail.

Learning Standards: text about African American inventors.

MAP CORNER

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activity One — 20 minutes reading the St. Louis American silently. At the end of the time, each student must state a fact they learned, express an opinion about an advertisement, and state a price for an item he/she would like to buy.

Activity Two — Have a race through the newspaper to find as many geographical words as you can like hill, river, lake, plateau, etc. Find examples of as many of them as you can on a state map.

Learning Standards: I can use a newspaper to locate information. I can identify the difference between fact and opinion. I can locate geographical terms in print and on a map.

Finally Gardner moves on motion to vacate wrongful conviction

Last week, Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner finally moved forward with filing the necessary pleadings to right the wrongful conviction of Lamar Johnson. Johnson, who was convicted of murder in 1995, has a strong chance to be released under the new law passed by the Missouri Legislature last year.

Under the 2021 law, county prosecutors like Gardner were empowered to file a document called a “motion to vacate,” a formal request to void a person’s previous conviction that the prosecutor believes was wrongfully obtained. The passage of the law arguably was in response to Gardner’s first attempts to liberate Johnson from his wrongful conviction - an attempt that took several twists and turns and ended with a Missouri Supreme Court order denying the innocent man his freedom.

But even after the legislature created the legal foundation for Gardner to overturn that 27year wrongful conviction, the Circuit Attorney’s Office did not move forward.

On the other side of the state, within days of the new law’s enactment, Kansas City prosecuting attorney Jean Peters Baker promptly moved forward with her motion to vacate the wrongful conviction of Kevin Strickland, who spent 43 years behind bars as an innocent person.

Still, nothing from Gardner.

Within a few months after filing to overturn Strickland’s wrongful conviction, Baker was successful despite excessively unethical and abusive behavior by the Missouri Attorney General, Eric Schmitt

And even after Strickland’s success in court and his subsequent release in November, Gardner still did not act to move Johnson’s case foward.

Until last week, Baker was the only Missouri prosecutor to file the new “motion to vacate” since the law took effect at the end of August 2021.

By Wednesday last week, the court docket shows that a sealed “Motion to Vacate” had been filed by Johnson’s legal team, along with 19 exhibits in support. As of the date of publishing this report, the Attorney General has yet to interfere with

Johnson’s case, as he attempted to do with Strickland’s appeal in fall 2021. Johnson’s family, friends, and supporters advocated tirelessly for him, before and after the Missouri Legislature passed the new wrongful conviction law. Before Gardner’s office filed the “Motion to Vacate,” the Missouri Justice Coalition led a protest outside of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Courthouse - and Gardner’s office - to demand that the Circuit Attorney move forward with seeking to liberate Johnson. Missouri Faith Voices advocated for clemency in the years following the wrongful conviction. Community leaders demanded the termination of the detective who fabricated evidence that was used to convict Johnson. Even some elected officials asked Gardner directly to move forward to free Johnson under her new authority.

Sometimes, holding elected officials’ metaphorical feet to the fire is the most effective way to cause action. Such an expansive coalition of statewide advocates shows the overwhelming support for Mr. Johnson’s release from his wrongful conviction. The EYE hopes that this broad network of advocates is able to help to finally achieve his freedom.

Stung by criticism, candidate Coatar returns campaign donations

Seventh Ward Alderman Jack Coatar’s favorite benefactors, Sid Chakraverty and Victor Alston, landed themselves in the crosshairs of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier this week. A detailed exposé illuminated the developerbrothers’ apparently intentional devaluation of the Ely Walker Lofts in Downtown West. As residents have detailed, conditions and security in the building have deteriorated since the Lux Living owners took control of the lofts in 2015. A city settlement was announced on Tuesday, a day before a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday regarding a public nuisance complaint from residents. Chakraverty and Alston have

also been accused by tenants and condo owners at some of their other properties - including The Hudson in DeBaliviere Place and The Michelangelo in the Central West End - of being high-end slumlords, failing to maintain buildings, eliminating cleaning services of common areas, and even placing friends and family members on condo association boards.

Development of Lux Living’s The SoHo Apartments in Soulard - squarely within Coatar’s own ward - was protested by a number of local unions, including Bricklayers Local 1, Operating Engineers 513, and IBEW Local 1, after Lux allegedly hired non-union contractors that pay sub-standard wages. Lux Living’s abuse of St. Louis City’s tax abatement process (including selling abated properties for windfalls at the City taxpayer’s expense) became so egregious that the St. Louis Development Corp. had to create new policies to allow the City to “claw back” tax incentives from developers who sell abated properties.

In Kansas City, Chakraverty and Alston were denied a 25year, $55 million tax incentive package after the Port Authority there discovered a $100,000 SEC settlement and at least three lawsuits filed in the last five years. Both the settlement and the lawsuits were not disclosed by the Lux Living developers in their application for tax breaks, ultimately resulting in

the denial of those development incentives.

Chakraverty’s and Alston’s apartment companies, Lux Living and Asprient Properties, have become household names across the state - and not in a good way.

But perhaps most egregious are elected officials, like Coatar, who continue to enable Lux Living’s and Asprient’s bad behavior. Even Alderman James Page (D-Ward 5), who previously served as the Downtown Neighborhood Association executive director, has seemingly turned a blind eye to the “public nuisance” that the Ely Walker loft building has become.

As recently as last week, Lux Living submitted a proposal for a 7-story apartment building in the Delmar Loop area on the University City side. Lux Living was unclear as to whether it will seek corporate handouts for this project - currently named “The Bond” - and shame on any city council that awards these developers any more taxpayer dollars for their shoddy real estate projects.

Clearly, these developerpartners are unbothered by the growing number of tenant complaints, blatant conflicts of interest, and pay-to-play schemes, as they continue to seek tax incentive packages and other political favors. Stung by criticism of his relationship with these shady developers, the Post reports that Coatar has returned $15,000 of campaign

donations from these brothers and their associated LLCs.

Schmitt knew and refused to act

If you haven’t heard about Agape Boarding School yet, buckle up.

Agape Boarding School in Stockton, Missouri, was founded by retired California police officer James Clemensen in 1990, citing Missouri’s lack of regulations for faith-based schools. The boarding school fashioned itself as a so-called “Christian” ranch for “troubled youth,” but over the course of the last several years, dozens of civil lawsuits and criminal charges have been filed against the school and its employees.

Allegations include students being forced to shower in front of staff, handcuffing students, routine sexual assaults, and frequent deprivation of necessities like food, water, and toilet paper. We’ll revisit the involvement of law enforcement later.

The Missouri Independent reported yesterday that according to records of the state Department of Social Services, all 10 substantiated preponderance of evidence claims against Agape involved findings of physical abuse.

In July, Agape lost its academic accreditations in response to extensive reporting by the Kansas City Star that exposed the atrocities committed against children at these faith-based boarding schools. The reporting also found that at least seven faith-based boarding schools had relocated to Missouri after being shut down in other states following allegations of abuse and neglect.

In 2021 and in response to the reporting, the Missouri Legislature passed a law that allowed for greater oversight of faith-based boarding schools that now require background checks for staff and volunteers and communication with the State Department of Social Services. However, Missouri still keeps no records on boarding schools that operate without a license.

Public outcry against Agape and other faith-based boarding schools has been mostly unacknowledged by local

media, probably because Agape Boarding School remains open. However, an explosive federal indictment from California last week has apparently changed the tides. In that indictment, Julio Sandoval, Agape Boarding School’s former dean, and a parent were alleged to have forcibly transported a handcuffed child across state lines, driving him from California to Stockton, Missouri. Sandoval, apparently during his tenure of leading the boarding school, had founded an “agency” to transport children to boarding schools across the country. He reportedly works at another faith-based school, Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, Missouri.

This is where law enforcement comes in, and some red flags are raised.

Remember that the founder of Agape Board School was a former California police officer? What we now know is that intentional efforts were made by the school to hire local law enforcement, which put former dean Sandoval on the payroll at the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department, along with other Agape leadership, family members, and allies. Abductions and forcible transportation of children to religious boarding schools became all-toocommon in the state. In a 2009 auditor’s report of Cedar County, State Auditor Nicole Galloway found evidence of deputy sheriffs using inexplicable, excessive amounts of fuel for patrol cars. Years later, in a 2022 Kansas City Star article, Sandoval’s “youth transportation company” was found to have employed two off-duty Cedar County Sheriffs’ deputies to kidnap and transport children across state lines to the boarding school operated by Sandoval. Mystery solved? Through a Missouri Sunshine request, state and federal public records show that these shocking allegations of physical abuse, sexual violence, and enslavement at the boarding school were submitted to the Attorney General Eric Scmitt’s Office in early 2021. The small office of the Cedar County prosecuting attorney asked for assistance from the Missouri Attorney General to prosecute the rapidly-increasing number of criminal charges - only for Schmitt’s office to later leave the case. While Schmitt’s office has publicly decried its disagreement with Cedar County’s refusal to prosecute some of the AG’s recommended crimes, public records show a much different story.

As recounted by State Rep. Sarah Unsicker (D-Shrewsbury), multiple federal leads were sent to Schmitt’s office by the POLARIS Project, a program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In February 2021, at least one tip was sent to Schmitt’s office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, related to “minor labor trafficking.” Potential traffickers were identified in the hotline report as Clemensen, his wife, a local sheriff, and Agape staff members, and allegations detailed excessive heavy labor during summer months, threats of physical and sexual abuse toward children who refused to work, and using religion as a basis to not pay wages.

Schmitt’s office, according to records obtained by Rep. Unsicker, did not forward the child labor and unpaid wages violations to the Missouri Department of Labor to investigate further. No public records of Schmitt’s office investigating Agape Boarding School have surfaced. As a reminder, Attorney General Schmitt is running for U.S. Senate, and he expects voters to disregard or forget his failures to protect Missouri residents. Schmitt apparently has looked the other way when confronted with child labor, sex trafficking, and abuse in all forms, while targeting elementary schools for life-saving mask policies and harassing nonprofits under the Sunshine Laws. Considering that this “law and order” candidate defends the January 6 failed insurrection, voters can see that there is neither law nor order in Schmitt’s actions.

Jack Coatar Eric Schmitt

Meeting a challenge

AMICSTL will be a hub of north side economic future

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

An economic comeback on the city’s north side has received a financial windfall from President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better legislative triumph.

The St. Louis Tech Triangle is a winner of a $25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

A cornerstone of several projects is construction of a 130,000 square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL) in the Vandeventer neighborhood in North St. Louis, adjacent to Ranken Technical College.

“Our city cannot succeed, together, if one half is allowed to fail,” Mayor Tishaura Jones said in a statement.

“Major North St. Louis projects like AMICSTL will create good-paying jobs for families and begin reversing decades of disinvestment in our neighborhoods. [It] will further enhance St. Louis’ strong position as the technology and innovation hub of the Midwest.

St. Louis is included with 21 grant recipients nationwide that topped more than 560 applicants. Jones called the selection “a testament to the commitment and collaboration of all of our partners and demonstrates the progress we can make when we come together as a region.”

Congresswoman Cori Bush called the grant “groundbreaking.”

“This funding is more than just an investment in technology—it is an investment in people. By funding projects in historically disinvested areas of St. Louis, this grant will boost economic pandemic recovery and help rebuild our communities,” she said in a statement.

The $25 million grant won in the Build Back Better Regional Challenge will be distributed toward several projects designed to grow the advanced manufacturing regional economy, including:

AMICSTL

(Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center & Ranken Tech)

Racial Equity in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BioSTL, Harris-Stowe, WEPOWER, Small Business Empowerment Center)

Inclusive Cross-Cluster Economic Development

(Greater St. Louis, Inc., and St. Louis Economic Development Partnership) Preparing Women for Advanced Manufacturing Careers (Rung for Women)

Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (Southwestern Illinois College)

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center (St. Louis Community College)

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Innovation Center (Cortex)

“One voice with one plan led to a big win for St. Louis,” Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc., said in a statement.

Dr. Cynthia Rogers named professor

Swanigan new manager at Powers Insurance

Crystal Swanigan

Powers Insurance & Risk Management recently hired Crystal Swanigan as claims advocate manager. Swanigan will oversee the processing of insurance claims plus provide claims advice and assistance to clients. She has over 30 years of insurance industry experience with areas of expertise in multiple lines of claims adjusting coverage and liability investigation, as well as marketing sales and service including as a management liability marketing specialist.

Greater St. Louis Inc., which filed the application, and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership will co-lead and offer “guidance, governance, execution, and community engagement.”

Education Dept. says do not wait

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Following President Joe Biden’s announcement canceling student loan debt of up to $20,000 for specific borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education said applications for relief under the plan should be submitted by Nov. 15. Department officials said they’ve made the application process simple, and if borrowers fail to apply by Nov. 15, they’d still have until the end of 2023 to file for forgiveness. However, by waiting until after Nov. 15, borrowers risk having to resume payments after the federal pause in repayment ends on Dec. 31. Biden said it’s vital for the more than 43 million eligible borrowers to take advantage of the loan forgiveness plan. “All this means people can start to finally crawl out from under that mountain of debt to get on top of their rent and utilities, to finally think about buying a home or starting a family or startSee LOANS, B2

“We can’t say this enough: When the St. Louis metro works together and speaks with one voice, we succeed. Working together as a metro

is working, and it is how we will win this next decade for St. Louis.” AMICSTL will be located within the 400acre triangle between Ranken Technical College, Cortex, and the National Geospatial Agency. It will serve as a hub of research, innovation, and start-ups, and is part of the St. Louis Development Corporation’s [SLDC] Equitable

See AMICSTL, B2

2022 graduates of Lincoln University in Jefferson City have begun careers or are in pursuit advanced degrees with the knowledge they can apply for up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2022.

St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page appointed Dr. Monique Williams to the Friends of Kathy J. Weinman Shelter board of directors. Dr. Williams is the medical director at New Horizons Pace as well as a geriatrician affiliated with Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. She earned her M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. The Friends of Kathy J. Weinman Shelter Board raises funds to help the County with the operation, improvement, equipping, and

Brooks named head coach at U. City High Dr. Cynthia E. Rogers was named the Blanche F. Ittleson professor of psychiatry and director of the William Greenleaf Eliot division of child and adolescent psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine. Some of her areas of clinical interest include: Evaluation of social and emotional development in preterm toddlers and preschoolers; treatment and evaluation of Perinatal Psychiatric disorders; and evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illness in high risk toddlers and preschoolers. She was the recipient of the St. Louis American Foundation/St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award in 2019.

The School District of University City announced that Darren Brooks will lead the University City High School girls varsity basketball team as its head coach. Brooks is a former standout basketball player for Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A former NBA prospect, Brooks played in NBA Development and Summer leagues and worked out with numerous professional teams and leagues in the United States, Germany and Poland. A graduate of Jennings High School, Brooks went on to SIUC to win dozens of honors and awards, including being voted into the SIU Hall of Fame in 2011, SIU Men’s Basketball All-Century Team in 2014 and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Hall of Fame in 2018.

The St. Louis Region has won a $25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development

Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge, and $7 million will go to the future Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center [AMICSTL] in the Vandeventer neighborhood in North St. Louis, adjacent to Ranken Technical College.

Image courtesy of AMICSTL

Dr. Monique Williams

Darren Brooks

Dr. Cynthia E. Rogers

Photo courtesy of Lincoln University

Homeownership: A key to building wealth

offering 100% financing options and down payment assistance programs.

• Quick local service. Our loan officers will call you back the same day. They will take the time to meet you where you want to be. Whether this is on the phone, via text, orsitting down with you, they are here to listen and advise.

Association of Realtors reported that the homeownership rate for Black Americans (43.4%) is lower than it was in 2010 (44.2%), and nearly 30% less than White Americans (72.1%). While there are many reasons for this gap, one thing is clear: more than half of our Black community is missing out on building wealth by paying rent each month. At Midwest BankCentre, we want to close this gap and help more people achieve the dream of homeownership. We understand how difficult the process of buying a home can be. So, we take the leap into homeownership and break it down into smaller, more manageable steps, and walk you through it, communicating with you every step of the way. We take a personal approach, getting to know you and your situation, and finding a solution that works best for you. To get you there, we offer:

• Personalized solutions. We get to know you and your goals and help you reach them. Everyone’s situation is different, and we want to help ensure you receive the best solution for you by listening, asking questions, and tailoring solutions based on your needs. This is a lifelong relationship, with your today and future goals in mind. You have a personal advisor for years to come.

• Down payment assistance. Many banks require large sums for down payments. We work with you to make it affordable by

Alisa Vaughn Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 2008136 avaughn@midwestbankcentre.com 314-544-8599

• Competitive rates with fixed terms. Many people are paying more in rent each month than they would pay for a mortgage payment. With a competitive rate and terms, you may find owning a home is more affordable than rent.

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We know how important owning a home is to you and your family, now and for future generations, and now is a great time to get pre-approved for a home loan. Give us a call today for a no-obligation conversation with a mortgage specialist. Bring all your questions and doubts, and we will listen, learn and decide how best to help you achieve your dream of homeownership.

When you DREAM BIG, we all RISE TOGETHER. Midwest BankCentre is one of St. Louis’s largest and oldest community banks. A values-led bank, we invest in people and their potential – not just credit scores. An investment in you and your home is an investment in the entire community.

All deposit and loan documents, contracts, and all other disclosures/notices are provided in English only. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Sam Karengi Jr. Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 1146087 Skarengi@midwestbankcentre.com 314-544-7222

Loans

Continued from B1

ing a business,” Biden stated. And while earlier reports revealed that about 13 states could still tax borrowers on the amount of debt forgiven, Mississippi and Virginia are the latest to come off that original list as officials said they would refrain from levying taxes on individuals who receive loan forgiveness.

Are you eligible?

Here are the criteria set forth by the Department of Education:

• Your annual income must have fallen below $125,000 (for individuals) or $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households)

• If you received a Pell Grant

in college and meet the income threshold, you will be eligible for up to $20,000 in debt cancellation.

• If you did not receive a Pell Grant in college and meet the income threshold, you would be eligible for up to $10,000 in debt cancellation.

What does the “up to” in “up to $20,000” or “up to $10,000” mean?

• Your relief is capped at the amount of your outstanding debt.

• For example: If you are eligible for $20,000 in debt relief but have a balance of $15,000 remaining, you will only receive $15,000 in relief.

What do I need to do to receive loan forgiveness?

• Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief automatically because relevant income data is already available to the U.S. Department of Education.

• If the U.S. Department of Education doesn’t have your income data, the Administration will launch a simple application available by early October.

• Please sign up on the Department of Education subscription page if you want notification of when the application is open.

Once borrowers complete the application, they can expect relief within 4-6 weeks. Everyone is encourage to apply, but there are 8 million individuals for whom the Education Department has data and who will get the relief automatically. Borrowers are advised to apply before Nov. 15 to receive relief before the payment pause expires on Dec. 31, 2022. The Department of Education will continue to process applications as they are received, even after the pause expires on Dec. 31, 2022.

AMICSTL

Continued from B1

Economic Development Strategy Framework.

SLDC Executive Director Neal Richardson called it “a big win.”

“Investments like this reinforce the need to put our Economic Justice Action Plan to work for our community,” he said.

“The AMICSTL was the hub of the proposal and will be newly constructed in the heart of one of the [economically] hardest hit areas of North St. Louis. This grant will go a long way to boost economic pandemic recovery and drive inclusive economic growth and opportunities in St. Louis.”

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the region should recognize and value the importance of the combined effort to win the grant.

“When we all work together - St. Louis County, St. Louis city and the region - it makes a difference for our community. This award recognizes the teamwork, potential, and spirit of St. Louis as we build our collective future,” Page said in a statement.

Rodney Crim, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership president and CEO, said the grant “illustrates the tremendous things that can happen when we bring organizations together on behalf of our community and region.”

While the grant will accelerate its development, a plan for the AMICSTL began in 2015 when the St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership [RAMP] was estab-

lished by the STL Partnership.

In collaboration with the Department of Defense and the Office of Economic Adjustment, the region’s assets, and opportunities to build a “resilient regional manufacturing economy” were identified.

A goal of creating AMICSTL, which recently received a $5 million grant from the Boeing Company, was established. In addition to the $25 million federal grant, $16.3 million in local matching funds will go toward the effort, bringing the total investment in the metro, to date, to $41.3 million.

“This one-of-a-kind manufacturing epicenter will enable talent development, leading-edge research and development, and prototyping and production capacity that uniquely span and connect multiple high-tech industries in the region – including the aerospace, agriculture tech, automotive, biomedical, construction, energy, geospatial, and logistics sectors,” Dennis Muilenburg, AMICSTL chair said.

St. Louis will now be home to a state-of-the-art facility and expandable campus that will drive diverse and equitable economic growth and elevate St. Louis as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.”

Muilenburg said the project will follow a “hub-and-spokes model,” which will focus on inclusive workforce growth and training, innovation and entrepreneurship, community revitalization.

Joining Greater St Louis, Inc., St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, AMICSTL, and Ranken Technical College as spokes are Rung for Women, Southwestern

Stacy Hollins, AnheuserBusch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University, said the HBCU will use its $2.6 million from the Build Back Better Regional Challenge to hire a director, coordinator, and create program guides for the Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement.

Illinois College, St. Louis Community College, BioSTL, Harris-Stowe State University, WEPOWER, Small Business Empowerment Center, Cortex Innovation Community, and the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Innovation Center (APIIC).

Stacy Hollins, AnheuserBusch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University, said the HBCU is “honored” to be part of the coalition.

“We plan to use our funding [$2.6 million] to hire personnel who will develop training, services, and resources to foster the growth of emerging entrepreneurs and cultivate the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs from minority and under-resourced communities,” Hollins said.

“More specifically, the grant money will have a high focus on personnel and go towards hiring a director, coordinator, and program guides for the Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement [MECCA] and the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”

MECCA provides educational training and services to assist individuals pursuing entrepreneurship, establishes partnerships with local centers for entrepreneurship, provides counseling services to entrepreneurs in developing markets, hosts and sponsors workshops and educational seminars in collaboration with community partners, and assists entrepreneurs in establishing accounting and licensing procedures.

Other partners include the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, East Central College, Economic Development Council of St. Charles County, Entrepreneur Startup Business Development Corporation, Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance, Jefferson College, Lewis and Clark Community College, Missouri AFL-CIO, SLPS, St. Charles Community College, St. Clair County, Illinois, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, St. Louis Makes, and the Technology Entrepreneur Center, Inc.

“We are proud to have been a part of the proposal,” said Southwestern Illinois College President Nick J. Mance.

“With funding from this grant, the Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy at SWIC will have the technology to recruit and train the manufacturing workforce of the future.”

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

n “It’s huge progress that’s been made. Hopefully, that progress continues.”

– Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes, one of five Black new NFL GMs

Sports

SEPTEMBER 8 – 14, 2022

prEp Football NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Flyers, Lions soar and roar to big wins

ESL heads to Georgia showdown

Two of the area’s top teams let their play do the talking in big early-season showdowns.

The top-ranked East St. Louis Flyers belted CBC 64-19 in the featured game of the Gateway Scholars Classic at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis.

In two previous meetings between the area powers, the game went down to a final possession with East St. Louis coming out on top. It looked like it was going to be another classic early with East Side taking a 14-13 lead.

From that point on, the Flyers exploded with its big play offense and stingy defense to turn the contest into a one-sided affair.

Junior quarterback Robert «Pops» Battle led the Flyers› potent offense, completing 15 of 27 passes for 263 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 84 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.

His top target was Christopher Bennett, who had seven receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Jesse Watson also added three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore TyRyan Martin rushed for 152 yards on 14 carries while fellow sophomore Larevious Wood added 91 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

The Flyers defense was just as strong as it held a potent Cadets offense under 20 points. Brothers Antwan and Keshon Hayden combined for 13 solo tackles and two quarterback sacks. Marquise Palmer had 11 solo tackles while Dominic Dixon added nine solo tackles.

Cardinal Ritter in control

The Cardinal Ritter Lions defeated visiting Vashon 29-7 in the first meeting between the schools. The Lions came out firing, sprinted to a 23-0 lead and coasted to the victory. Senior Marvin Burks was a standout on both sides of the football, rushing for 136 yards on 14 carries while adding eight tackles to lead the defense.

Quarterback Antwan McKay completed 14 of 25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. McKay also added a rushing touchdown. Senior wide receiver Fredrick

Moore was also a standout with six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Keon Sloan also added 81 yards on four carries, including a 34-yard touchdown run.

Week 2 Standout Performers

• Quarterback A.J. Raines of Timberland passed for 258 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 115 yards and another score in the T-Wolves 37-34 victory over SLUH.

• Wide receiver Jalen Smith of O’Fallon had three touchdown receptions in the Panthers 35-13 victory over Troy.

• Wide receiver Ryan Wingo of SLUH had five receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns in the Jr. Billikens’ 37-34 loss to Timberland.

• Defensive back Amorion Oliphant of Duchesne had an interception return for a touchdown and two punt returns for touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 50-15 victory over Vianney.

• Wide receiver Nick Phillips of Brentwood had eight receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 41-20 victory over Wesclin.

• Defensive back Jordan Pettis of Chaminade had 11 solo tackles, one quarterback sack and an interception in the Red Devils loss to MICDS.

• Quarterback Jordan Robinson of Normandy completed nine of 11 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ 48-0 victory over TDW Academy.

• Running back Zane Tilman of Mascoutah rushed for 121 yards on 18 carries in the Indians’ 43-29 victory over Mt. Vernon.

• Running back Jack Hinlo of Lindbergh rushed for 192 yards in the Flyers’ 43-17 victory over Ladue.

On Tap for Week 3

East St. Louis (1-1) at Creekside, Georgia, Friday, 7 p.m. - The Flyers go on the road to take on a talented team.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Quarterback

Robert “Pops” Battle completed 12 of 20 passes for 258 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 80 yards on 8 carries Saturday, Sept. 3, in the Gateway Scholars Classic at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium on the campus

St. Mary’s (2-0) at Naperville Nequea Valley, IL, Friday, 7 p.m. - The undefeated Dragons head to the Suburban Chicago area to take on an excellent big-school program.

Kirkwood (1-1) at Eureka (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.An excellent Friday night matchup between two of the top large-school programs in the area. Lutheran St. Charles (2-0) at St. Dominic (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. - An excellent matchup in St. Charles County between two undefeated teams. Hannibal (2-0) at Troy (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.GAC power Troy will host a good Hannibal team that was a Class 4 state finalist last season.

Duchesne (1-1) at Cardinal Ritter (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. - Ritter will try to follow up on its big victory over Vashon as they host AAA opponent Duchesne.

SLUH (0-2) at CBC (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.The Cadets host SLUH in their annual Metro Catholic Conference showdown. One of the area’s long-standing rivalries.

Marquette (2-0) at Hazelwood Central (1-1), Saturday, 11 a.m. - An undefeated Marquette team will head to North County to take on the Hawks on Saturday morning.

NFL’s trio of Black head coaches face various challenges

Alvin A. Reid

The NFL season opens on Thursday night, Sept. 8, 2002, with three Black head coaches. That is three out of 32. The league can talk all the diversity it wants, but it doesn’t show up when it comes to the head guy on the sideline. Mike Tomlin, the dean of Black NFL head coaches, is entering his 15th year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has never posted a losing record, and his team is predicted to reach the postseason. Every game lost by the Steelers is an opportunity for the Tomlin haters to jump out of their holes and talk ‘he should be fired’ nonsense. Among them is Hall of Fame quarterback and all-around buffoon Terry Bradshaw. Tomlin keeps winning, keeps the Steelers relevant, and keeps plugging for an elusive second Super Bowl title. As training camp rolled

on, Tomlin did not name his starting quarterback and toyed with media members trying to stir up trouble. “Quite frankly, we will give that information at our leisure,” Tomlin said defiantly.

The Steelers signed freeagent Mitch Trubisky, and then drafted former Pitt star QB Kenny Pickett. Pickett played well in the preseason, as did Trubisky. While other coaches could have let this so-called drama get out of control Tomlin was in command. On Tuesday he announced, “Mitch Trubisky is our starting quarterback and our captain. We’re really comfortable with what Mitch has shown us.”

Case closed. Todd Bowles takes over as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Bruce Arians retired/was forced out by Tom Brady/quit following a divisional round playoff loss to the L.A. Rams. Brady booked on his team for a couple of weeks during training camp to take care of “personal stuff.” I wish Bowles had more

to say on that, but he let it go. That was in his best interest, seeing that he is one of three Black head coaches in the entire league. In an interview that will air before the Sunday night game featuring Tampa Bay at Dallas, Bowles tells former NFL head coach and Super Bowl champion Tony Dungy, he thinks Brady bolting, “was a good thing,”

Mike Tomlin, the dean of Black NFL head coaches, is entering his 15th year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has never posted a losing record.

the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl before losing to Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts. He was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach following the Texans’ disastrous 2021 season. Gone now is quarterback Deshaun Watson and all the controversy that surrounded him. It has moved to Cleveland.

But Smith is left with the worst team in the NFL, and he will be lucky to win more than three games.

“Any of us that were here last year remember what happened and we feel like as coaches we’ve addressed all those issues that we had,” Smith said.

“It kind of helped us develop our run game a little more. And we figured out that we’re a team and not just one guy and a team,” Bowles said. Whatever, man. A familiar face, although he now sports a white beard like Santa Claus, is in charge of the lowly Houston Texans. Lovie Smith won a Super Bowl as the St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator and took

“Now it’s about doing it. If a player is still here right now, we feel like they buy in to what we needed to do to catch the people that went ahead of us. I think it’s as simple as that.” Good luck, dude, you will need it.

The Reid Roundup

Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones and Jordan Chiles

made history on August 21, 2022, at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Tampa, Florida. The trio became the first ever set of Black women to share the podium in the 59-year history of the event. McClain, 17, Jones, 20, and Chiles, 21, won gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. They will next compete at the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships, beginning Oct 29 in Liverpool, England…Hugh Evans, a highly respected NBA referee who worked from 1972 to 2001, was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last weekend. He is the 17th referee to receive the honor, and just the seventh to be enshrined for his work in the NBA…Thirtyseven years after moving on to the NFL without graduating from Temple University, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles fulfilled a promise to his late mother and earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland last week. According to the university, Bowles began taking online courses in the summer of 2020.

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

of East St. Louis High School.

Two golf tournaments in town this week support North St. Louis

Ascension Charity Classic Sept. 8-11 Norwood Hills Country Club

The Ascension Charity Classic is an official PGA TOUR Champions event owned and operated by Tournaments for Charity, a St. Louis non-profit corporation. This 54-hole stroke play golf tournament features 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals competing for a $2 million purse at the renowned Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The event is designed to showcase the best golf on PGA TOUR Champions for the enjoyment of spectators and to benefit local charities in the greater St. Louis area. All three official rounds will be internationally televised on Golf Channel. The Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson designates funds in support of North St. Louis County communities and the tournament’s three primary beneficiaries, Marygrove, a residential treatment and support facility for children and teens struggling with debilitating emotional and behavioral issues resulting from abuse, neglect and other trauma; the Urban League of

each of the tournament’s primary beneficiaries, Marygrove, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Since its inception the tournament has raised more than $1 million, providing a firm foundation for the Tournament’s mission to provide critical funds to support St. Louis and North County for years to come. Visit ascensioncharityclassic.com for ticket information and a schedule of events.

APGA Tour St. Louis Sept. 8 and 9 Glen Echo Country Club

The Ascension Charity Classic presented by Emerson is also supporting the Advocates Professional Golf

Association (APGA) Tour and welcome a new professional golf tournament to St. Louis. The APGA Tour St. Louis — Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions will debut September 8 & 9, 2022 at Glen Echo Country Club in North County. General admission for the 36-hole stroke-play competition (Sept. 8-9) of this stand-alone APGA Tour event is free to the public and will provide area golf fans with another opportunity to enjoy thrilling tee-togreen action in St. Louis. Admission to the Ascension Classic presented by Daugherty Business Solutions is free.

Established in 2010, the APGA Tour is a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare African American and other underrepresented golfers to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf, both on tour and in the golf industry. This is accomplished through professional tournaments, career development and mentoring sessions. St. Louis native and APGA pro golfer Christian Heavens will compete at the event. Heavens serves as an official ambassador for Ascension.

An analysis by insurance provider Insurify ranked cities in the U.S. by employment opportunity and affordability, as well as transit costs and livability. St. Louis was named #1. Here’s a look at the 10 best cities, along with their score,

St. Louis named best U.S. city in the nation for new graduates to start a career for new grads to start their careers: 1. St. Louis: 100 2. Minneapolis, Minnesota: 98.3 3. Rapid City, South Dakota: 88.8 4. Pittsburgh: 85.5

5. Lincoln, Nebraska: 84.9 6. Portland, Oregon: 78.9 7. Fargo, North Dakota: 75.8 8. Fort Wayne, Indiana: 73.7 9. Denver: 73.3

10. Tampa, Florida: 73.0 Six out of the top 10 cities are located in the Midwest, including the top three. These cities have relatively low costs of living while offering comparable transit and entertainment options to larger coastal cities.

According to the Regional Business Council, “For the last 15 years we have continually heard from our 4,000 young professionals on why St. Louis has been the best decision for them, and how much the Young Professionals Network (YPN)

has provided them with the essential professional connections, diverse social opportunities and a vehicle to give back.” RBC CEO Kathy Osborn stated “This recognition is indeed a remarkable accomplishment for St. Louis.”

A Grand stand

Music at the Intersection back for 2nd year with local, national acts

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Music at the Intersection, a grand two-day festival highlighting more than 50 acts, returns for its second year Sept. 10-11, 2022, across stages throughout the Grand Center Arts District.

Erykah Badu, Gary Clark Jr., and Rose Royce are headliners, and there are a variety of national, local, and regional recording artists performing to satisfy all music lovers’ tastes. New Orleans-style horn and percussion ensemble Saint Boogie Brass Band will open the Washington Avenue Stage 12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m on Saturday, with Super Hero Killer and The Kasimu-tet performing during the same timeframe on the respective Field and Big Top stages.

“St. Louis has a rich history when it comes to Blues, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, we try to incorporate all those genres into our sound,” said Keith Clair Jr., Saint Boogie Brass Band member. “We don’t consider ourselves to be a jazz band.”

Saint Boogie Brass Band was formed in 2011 after New Orleans native Christopher “Turtle” Tomlin and his cousin Ryan Maclin attended the 2011 St. Louis Mardi Gras and didn’t see one brass band in sight. Tomlin and Maclin saw a need for the city to have a brass band, and from there Saint Boogie Brass Band was founded.

“I grew up in New Orleans and have family in St. Louis,” said Tomlin. “I always heard about the city’s bands back home during the Battle of the Bands era. When I moved here [to St. Louis], I was shocked to see the opposite, which motivated me to start the band.” Marvin “Mars” Bell said fans can expect the band to tell them to get out of their seats and move their chairs when they see them at Music at the Intersection.

Snap to it

King Yella a king of photography

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Walking into Christopher Hawkins’s loft apartment is like walking into a Hip Hop/entertainment museum.

His walls are filled with photos and album covers of rappers, athletes, and entertainers. Nelly, Lil Wayne, Shaquille O’Neal, and others greet you as you enter the hallway. If you pivot to the right, you’ll see a large gold-trimmed velvet burgundy chair that looks as if it came from the set of Game of Thrones. Then there is “the ‘wall,” a floor-to-ceiling silver metal board where celebrities who have visited Hawkins’ inhome photography studio leave signatures. Known as King Yella, the photographer’s career spans almost 30 years. He first got his taste of the life of a photographer as a child sitting on the lap of Charles Hawkins, his father. He watched as his dad critiqued young photographers and coached them on how to capture the story or image they were trying to convey to the audience.

Young Hawkins remembers his father’s darkroom at their home in Norwood, where he

Living It UnBeelievable chemistry

and Rose Royce are among the more than 50 national, local, and regional recording artists performing during Music at the Intersection, a grand two-day festival Sept. 10-11, 2022

Rising Blues star Dylan Triplett, formerly known as Little Dylan, performs on the Big Top Stage from 2:50 p.m.-3:35 p.m. Saturday with iconic R&B group Rose Royce performing

from 2:55 p.m.-3:55 p.m. on the Washington Ave. Stage. Reggie Son, formerly known as See Music, C8

would sit and watch his dad develop pictures.

But like most kids, Hawkins didn’t appreciate his father’s skill and gift behind the camera until he became a young adult.

“He was one of them old-school photographers, but I didn’t have a real interest in it when

I was younger,” said Hawkins.

The photographer is candid about graduating from the ‘school of hard knocks’ after dropping

Christopher “King Yella” Hawkins has been a photographer to the stars for almost 30 years.

George Washington Carver story abuzz in ‘The Bee Play’

By Danielle Brown The St. Louis American

“The Bee Play,” narrates Carver Washington’s story, and his story models agricultural scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. In the play, Carver is an 18-year-old Black Bronx beekeeper who also cares for his younger sister and their grandmother. Along the way, he meets Devora, a newly graduated Yale alumna and they share their different viewpoints and hopes for a brighter future without colony collapse (bee extinction).

n “I have never understood why George Washington Carver has never gotten the due he deserves. This is an American hero, who single handedly saved agriculture.”

- Playwright Elizabeth Savage

“The Bee Play” has its world premiere Sept. 8-25 at New Jewish Theatre’s The J, Staenberg Family Complex, Wool Studio Theatre.

Playwright Elizabeth Savage says she didn’t initially have her heart set on writing “The Bee Play” until she read a 2008 New York Times article on farmers concerned about bees dying rapidly in huge numbers. In 2010, she learned beekeeping had been legalized nationally, which made her wonder why it was illegal in the first place.

Savage became enamored with bees and soon saw a vision of her writing a production addressing crop rotation and bee pollination.

“I pictured someone on a rooftop with a gritty street below and this solitary figure who has this Garden of Eden on the rooftop,” Savage said.

“I wasn’t planning on writing a play but at that point I was sort of daydreaming about what that kind of person was.”

out of school in the 9th grade. He said “no one had a vision for me, being a mixed race kid back then.” Both sides of his family lived very different from each other.

Like many teens who don’t see their fullest potential, he wandered through society trying

See Yella, C8

Savage also said she wanted to focus on a main character loosely based on George Washington Carver, a leading pioneer in farming and soil science.

“I have never understood why George Washington Carver has never gotten the due he deserves,” Savage said. “This is an American hero,

Photo by Wiley Price | St. Louis American

Erykah Badu (above), Gary Clark Jr.,

See Bee, C3

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/erykahbadu

Join us in recognizing and celebrating some highly regarded, dedicated educators for their service to the education of our youth...while awarding nearly $3 million in scholarships to high potential students with financial needs. Since 1994, this program, in collaboration with our higher education partners have provided nearly $12 million of assistance to local students.

Salute to excellence in education Scholarship & Awards Gala

September events at the Missouri History Museum

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Missouri Historical Society

From coloring on the walls to concerts on the lawn, the Missouri History Museum is the place to find yourself in September. The Museum’s newest exhibit, Coloring STL, presented by the William T. Kemper Foundation, opened on August 20 and is attracting visitors of all ages. Visitors can interact with St. Louis’s fascinating buildings in a way they never have before—by coloring them, right on the walls. This interactive exhibit with illustrations created by local artist Rori! delves into the stories of more than 50 local structures and explores the dreamers and designers who used the materials beneath our feet to leave their mark on the city.

On September 8, the Thursday Nights at the Museum program series focuses on Black Builders of St. Louis. A panel discussion moderated by Cheeraz Gormon begins at 6:30pm with Elise Preston Mallory, Melisa Betts Sanders, Angela da Silva, Anthony Thompson, and DeAna Carter, centering on the work of Black St. Louisans who are impacting the city’s built, unbuilt, and rebuilt environments while creating family legacies, helping communities, and establishing pipelines for underrepresented groups. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Salt + Smoke from 5:00 to 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits, including Coloring STL and St. Louis Sound, will be open until 8:00pm. Enjoy displays of artwork and visit resource tables to learn more about community organizations and labor unions. This program is generously sponsored by Ann E. and Greg R. Rhomberg in memory of Larry W. Giles, founder, National Building Arts Center.

On September 9 and 10, the History Exploration Days series returns, offering engaging activities designed for families with learners from pre-K to high school. The theme for September is “Takin’ Care of Business: St. Louis Labor History.” This region has long been a hub of industry and innovation, but it wouldn’t be that way without the workers who made it possible. Explore St. Louis’s history of labor activism, local businesses and products made in STL, and

innovations as well as the many people and movements that had a lasting impact on our city.

Drop-in or scheduled activities include a St. Louis labor activism workshop for ages 8 and up, storytelling, crafts, a scavenger hunt through the galleries, a touch table, and an inquiry station about St. Louis–made products like Tums and Hydraulic Press bricks. On Saturday at 11:30am, gather in the Grand Hall for Bread and Roses Presents The Worker’s Opera, an original piece about the lives of St. Louis workersturned-artists and the labor issues that affect them and their families.

Registration for History Exploration Days is not required, but please check in at the Welcome Desk upon arrival. Visit mohistory.org/history-exploration-days for more information and the complete schedule, and be sure to save the date for upcoming History Exploration Days including “Underground STL” (Oct. 14–15), “Picturing History: Native American Heritage Month” (Nov. 11–12), and “Celebrate Good Times” (Dec. 9–10).

The Twilight Thursdays concert series returns on September 15 with the Aretha Franklin Catalog, with lead vocalist Cheryl Brown and music director Jeremiah Allen. September 22 features A Tribute to Kool and the Gang, showcasing the talents of Julius Williams

(lead vocals), Jason Swagler (horn arrangements), and Terry Coleman (music director). The final concert on September 29 honors Prince and the Music of Minneapolis–St. Paul with Jeff Mack of Morris Day & the Time and music director KaRynn Calvin. Concerts begin at 6:00pm. Plan to arrive early to explore the Museum’s exhibits, which will be open until 8:00pm, and to save a spot on the North Lawn facing Lindell Boulevard. Blankets, lawn chairs, tables smaller than 3 by 3 feet, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted. Tents, large umbrellas, and barbecue grills are prohibited. Pack a picnic basket or small cooler with snacks, soft drinks, water bottles, and alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles, please), or save time and support a local small business by visiting one of the many food trucks that will be available each week.

Parking is available within Forest Park and on Lindell Boulevard. The Museum’s west lot is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is partially reserved for accessible parking. Nearby public transit stops provide additional options. In the event of inclement weather, call the Twilight Thursdays Information Hotline at (314) 454-3199 after 2:00pm, or listen to iHeartMedia radio stations.

We’ll see you in September!

Continued from C1

who single handedly saved agriculture.”

Miles Brenton (Carver Washington), said his character lives everything but a normal life, which is why it’s important for him to determine his future as a high school senior.

“He doesn’t really get to think about his future unless he’s on the rooftop taking care of his bees [his only moment of freedom],” Brenton said.

Like his character Brenton said he can relate to his everyday life not taking the traditional route of what society thinks a young Black male should be.

“I understand what it’s like to tread a different path,” Brenton said. “I was an opera singer and it’s not something a lot of Black people do. I identify with and understand Carver

treading his own path and being met with resistance along the way.”

Riley Adams (Paris Washington), who plays Brenton’s little sister in the production, said she and her character parallel each other.

“I think Paris is like your average kid, but she has a few other things about her that make her a very special and enjoyable character,” Adams said. “She radiates confidence, enjoys dancing, and is faithful with her religion.”

Adams and Brenton said it was a pleasure being able to work with each other on the play and each shared different examples of realizing their chemistry matched on and off screen.

“Riley is awesome, she’s a little star,” Brenton said. “When we got to rehearsals we clicked right away. It’s cool to work with a kid who is so professional, it makes me wanna step my game up.”

“He [Miles] is so fun, I really enjoy working with him,” Adams said. “We sang a song together while he played the guitar. He has a beautiful voice and is a great actor.” Savage said she is blown away by how unbelievably talented the ensemble of actors is with “The Bee Play.” In addition to Adams and Brenton playing leading roles, Annie Zigman (Devora) and Margery Handy (Ma’Dear) play supporting roles. “These actors have had to come in and trust me, the process, and bring their whole selves while breathing their breath into my words,” Savage said. “I cannot believe how lucky I got with this cast. I can’t wait to watch them soar on opening night.” For tickets and more information about “The Bee Play” visit https://jccstl.com/event/ new-jewish-theatre-presentsthe-bee-play/2022-09-17/.

Image courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society

Colorable illustrations by St. Louis artist Rori!

Religion can play key role in African American heart health

St. Louis American staff

African American adults who reported more frequent participation in religious activities and/or deeper spiritual beliefs may be more likely to meet some of the American Heart Association’s key metrics for cardiovascular health, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and normal blood pressure, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association African Americans have poorer overall cardiovascular health than non-Hispanic white people, and death from cardiovascular diseases is higher in African American adults than white adults, according to the American Heart Associations’ 2017 “Cardiovascular Health in African Americans” scientific statement.

“Health professionals and researchers should acknowledge the importance of religious and spiritual influences in the lives of African Americans—who tend to be highly religious,” said the study’s lead author

LaPrincess C. Brewer, M.D., M.P.H., a preventive cardiologist, and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

“With religious and spiritual beliefs factored into our approaches, we may make major breakthroughs in fostering the relationship between patients and physicians and between community members and scientists to build trust and sociocultural understanding of this population.»

Researchers analyzed responses gauging religiosity (strong religious feeling or belief from any religion), spirituality and the Life’s Simple 7 cardiovascular health indicators from surveys and

Researchers grouped participants by religious behaviors (their self-reported levels of attending church service/ bible study groups, private prayer and the use of religious beliefs or practices in adapting to difficult life situations and stressful events—called religious coping in the study); and spirituality (belief in the existence of a supreme

A pair of questions to ask

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’” -John 1:19

Life is a constant barrage of questions. Some are trivial and some carry tremendous weight. How we answer certain questions can be the difference between a good decision or a bad one, poverty or wealth, marriage or divorce, freedom or prison, health or illness, and life or death.

A quick Google search determined

that children under 5 ask an average of 75 questions per day and children 4 and under ask an average of 200 questions per day. Adults on the other hand ask an average of 23 questions per day. In the Gospels, Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. To be precise, Jesus asks 307 questions. He was asked 183, but only answered three. Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings.

John’s testimony was so strong that it prompted the religious leaders of his day to ask him two questions: “Who are you?” and “Who do you say you are?” The answers to these questions

being, deity or God).

The participants who reported more religious activity or having deeper

were meant to inquire about John’s origin and the meaning and intent behind his message. What I find fascinating is these are the same two questions each of us must also answer. So, let’s take a look at how John responded. John was asked “Who are you?” We can learn from John’s response. He was truthful. He did not try to dodge the question. He did not misrepresent himself. Nor did he try to be someone that he wasn’t. His answer was based on his understanding and commitment to his assignment from God.

levels of spiritual beliefs were more likely to meet the key measures for cardiovascular health:

Greater frequency of attending religious services or activities was associated with a 16% increase in odds of meeting “intermediate” or “ideal” metrics for physical activity, 10% for diet, 50% for smoking, 12% for blood pressure and 15% for the composite cardiovascular health score.

Greater reported frequency of private prayer was associated with a 12% increase in the odds of achieving intermediate or ideal metrics for diet and 24% increased odds for achieving the metric related to smoking.

Religious coping was associated with an 18% increase in the odds of achieving intermediate and ideal levels for physical activity, 10% increased odds for healthy diet, 32% for smoking and 14% for the composite cardiovascular health score.

Total spirituality was associated with an 11% increase in the odds of achieving intermediate and ideal levels for physical activity and 36% for

So, who are you? This question cannot be answered based on what others think of you, or your current life circumstances. These factors may aid in obtaining your answer. But the ultimate answer to this question must be understood through prayer and seeking God’s ultimate will for your life. Secondly, John was asked “Who do you say you are?” This question gets at the core of how we see ourselves. John’s response was succinct and simple. In John 1:23, he states: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” John is basically saying, “I understand my assignment. I am not the prophet. I am not even a prophet. I am simply a mouthpiece for God … a voice crying out in the wilderness.”

smoking.

“I was slightly surprised by the findings that multiple dimensions of religiosity and spirituality were associated with improved cardiovascular health across multiple health behaviors that are extremely challenging to change, such as diet, physical activity and smoking,” Brewer said.

“Our findings highlight the substantial role that culturally tailored health promotion initiatives and recommendations for lifestyle change may play in advancing health equity. The cultural relevance of interventions may increase their likelihood of influencing cardiovascular health and also the sustainability and maintenance of healthy lifestyle changes.”

Brewer added, “This is especially important for socioeconomically disenfranchised communities faced with multiple challenges and stressors. Religiosity and spirituality may serve as a buffer to stress and have therapeutic purposes or support self-empowerment to practice healthy behaviors and seek preventive health services.”

Our response must come from a place of complete honesty and understanding of our God-given assignment. Knowing who we are is the foundation for living a fulfilling and Christcentered life. Knowing who we are is the key to maximizing our time in the Earth realm. Knowing who we are is crucial to leaving a legacy that lasts for eternity.

Two questions were presented to John. These same two questions are being presented to you. Do you have the courage to take a hard look at yourself and address the two questions everyone must answer?

Dr. Preston T. Adams III is senior pastor at Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Guest Columnist

Dr. Preston T. Adams III

Dr. LaPrincess C. Brewer

Family Court (Juvenile Division) of

may be made over and above the retainer fee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, up to three (3) years of trial experience preferred; preferably in juvenile or family law (additional years of trial experience and guardian ad litem experience are highly preferred), and completion of necessary guardian ad litem training as required by the Supreme Court of Missouri. Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding. To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by September 30, 2022): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

PRINCIPAL

Are you a strong, faith-driven leader prepared to lead a premier Jesuit high school in its third century of excellence? St. Louis University High is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Principal, one who will lead our academic and formational programs that challenge students to think critically, lead courageously, and transform the world as Men for Others. To learn more and apply, visit sluh.org/principal.

RESOURCE COORDINATOR

The Housing Partnership, Inc. has an opening for a Resource Coordinator. The primary function is to serve as the initial point of contact for clients (potential/current/previous), answer questions as trained, coordinate intake/closing procedures, documents, and files, and properly connecting clients with appropriate staff when necessary. Duties include intake, file management, reporting, closeout, and follow-up for various programs. For a full job description go to www.

TheHousingPartnershipSTL.org

Submit resume to The Housing Partnership, Inc. P.O. Box 16356, St. Louis, MO 63125 or via email to kevin@ TheHousingPartnershipSTL.org An Equal Opportunity Employer

RESIDENTIAL MANAGER

Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) is a non-for-profit organization CHMO is looking for a Residential Manager, responsible for direct supervision and making sure youth have treatment plans which helps move youth closer to independent living. CHMO opportunities can be found on our website: https://covenanthousemo. applicantpro.com/jobs/

St. Louis Kidney Care is seeking a US BE/BC Nephrologist in St. Louis, MO. We are a collaborative, established group offering an entrepreneurial care provider the opportunity to innovate and grow with us to bring quality and compassionate care to our wonderful patient population!

• J1 and H1B Eligible

• Great Starting Salary

• Shared Call with 3 Physicians & 2 Extender

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

• Health (vision, dental, life), Retirement, Malpractice • Medical Directorship/JV/Real Estate Investment Opportunity Potential

• 6 Weeks PTO (including paid holidays)

• CME Time & Stipend Included

• Contact: 318-483-1961

CITY OF OLIVETTE JOB OPENINGS

PLANNING & ZONING

COORDINATOR AND BUILDING

INSPECTOR II

The 22nd Judicial Circuit-Juvenile The City of Olivette is accepting cover letters and resumes for a Planning and Zoning Coordinator and a Building Inspector II. The job descriptions and salary information can be found at www.olivettemo.com or by contacting Human Resources at dmandle@olivettemo.com

THE CITY OF OLIVETTE IS AN EQUAL

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- JR64741 How would you like to be a Medical Assistant, but don’t have time or the funds to go to school? We have a solution! Once you pass our entrance requirements and are hired through Washington University, you can complete our Apprenticeship program in just 12 weeks. Upon completing, and passing the credentialing exam, along with being a continued employee for 1 year, you will receive recognition as a Certified Medical Assistant. Class times will be during working hours (4 hours a week), and there will be no tuition costs to you.

JR67477 Clinical Director – Medical Oncology:

Position directs and coordinates clinical operations for the Division of Oncology Siteman Cancer Center all locations ensuring seamless integration with clinical activities through planning, developing, organizing and implementing medical services and management systems that support the successful operations and promote the fiscal integrity of the Division. Designs and coordinates all clinical plans, both current and future, with the Division Chief, practicing physicians, the Director of Business Operations, Director of Clinical Research, and other management staff to provide quality medical services and clinical research support in an efficient, effective and safe manner. Provides administrative supervision for clinical administrators and pharmacy director for all locations.

JR67755 Senior Director Business Development & Operations – Cardiology: Administrative responsibility for the various business and operational affairs of the Division. Manages the operational, administrative and support functions of the Division, including, but not limited to, the following areas: financial management and operations management. In conjunction with the Division Chief, develops, implements and maintains appropriate policies and procedures for the Division to help ensure the business of the Division is managed in an organized and efficient manner. Assists the Division Chief in strategic planning and implementing activities for the Division. This would include, but is not limited to, (1) new programs, (2) new faculty, (3) resources, (4) space, (5) strategic initiatives, (6) clinical practice, (7) teaching and training programs.

JR68637 Clinical Operations Manager – Pediatrics:

Position is responsible for operational management of clinical services in the Department of Pediatrics. This includes all operations necessary to deliver services such as electronic medical records systems, patient services/satisfaction, physician relationships, staff supervision (clinical and clerical), and quality / performance improvement; will include technical training and optimization processes aimed at supporting increased quality and efficiency. This position will also interface with person(s) responsible for scheduling / registration. Participates in the strategic planning and overall development of clinical services.

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship-

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St. LouiS

SOLICITING BID

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications for legal services on an as-needed beginning in 2023 Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids to apply by October 10, 2022.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for North Hanley Road (A) Resurfacing, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1482, Federal Project No. STP-5613(607), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors.munisselfservice.com/Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 p.m. on October 5, 2022

Plans and specifications will be available on September 5, 2022 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SOLICITING BID

The Great Rivers Greenway District (District), the Developer, is soliciting sealed bids for Mississippi Greenway: Chain of Rocks Park (108A) in the City of Saint Louis, Missouri and hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin in consideration for an award. Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds are being used in this project, and all relevant federal, state, and local requirements apply. Bid documents will be available September 12, 2022. Go to www.greatriversgreenwy.org /jobs-bids to submit by October 11, 2022.

NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/ DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:

State of Missouri Project No. T2139-01 : Latrine RenovationColumbia Readiness Center

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com Phone: 573-682-5505

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/ DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:

State of Missouri Project No. T2137-01 : Latrine RenovationFulton Readiness Center

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com

Phone: 573-682-5505

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS, PUBLIC NOTICES, AUCTIONS, AUDITS, SUMMARY & LEGAL NOTICES

The Affordable Housing Commission (“AHC”) of the City of St. Louis hereby notifies interested applicants of the availability of $9,019,372 million in grant and loan funding from three sources.

The funds to be awarded are:

Affordable Housing Trust Funds (AHTF) – These funds are intended for use in the development of housing and the provision of housing-related services that address the goals of developing and preserving affordable and accessible housing, preventing homelessness and/or providing services for the homeless. Projects funded by the AHTF must benefit persons with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. The Trust Fund must use 40% of its funds to assist households with incomes at or below 20% of the area median income. $5,719,372 million will be awarded.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) - These funds are intended for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in efforts to prevent homelessness. $2,000,000 million will be awarded.

Equitable Development Contribution - These funds are intended for use in the development of housing and the provision of housing-related services that address the goals of developing and preserving affordable and accessible housing, preventing homelessness and/or providing services for the homeless.

• $900,000.00 for housing preservation, maintenance and housing services for residents living within the 17th Ward (2021) boundaries will be awarded.

• $400,000.00 for housing preservation, maintenance and housing services for residents living in neighborhoods North of Delmar will be awarded.

As a step to ease the application burden, the Commission has combined the application process for the three funding sources. Non-profit agencies and developers may apply for: a) servicerelated grants, b) loans and other subsidies for rental housing production, and c) loans and other subsidies for for-sale housing developments. Separate application forms are available for each type of request. Because the Commission will be awarding funds from three sources, dollars awarded may be from a combination of funding sources. The Commission does NOT make grants or loans to individuals seeking housing or support services.

Priorities for funding for this round include high quality applications that:

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 20% of the area median income.

• Propose permanent supportive housing for special needs and vulnerable populations with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 65% of the area median income.

• Proposes housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income and is located within a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Qualified Census Tract in the City of St. Louis (2022). https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sadda/sadda_qct.html

• Provide assistance or initiatives that prevent homelessness for households or individuals earning at or below 80% AMI.

• Provide affordable housing services (grant program) while advancing ten or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan, or create affordable housing units (loan program) while advancing fifteen or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan.

• Develop affordable housing within one half-mile of public transportation.

• Comprehensively rehabilitate housing units (for-sale & rental) to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, etc.), or have an energy audit with a HERS of 85 or less.

All rehabilitation projects must adhere to the City’s Lead Safe requirements and receive a Lead Safe Clearance performed by a State Licensed Inspector at the project’s conclusion. All new construction projects must build to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, or EnergyStar with a RESNET energy auditor.) The development is not required to receive formal certification. All development projects must complete (as a condition of funding, not required for application): 1) Spire High Efficiency Program Rebate application, and, 2) Ameren Missouri Energy Efficiency Rebate and Incentive application. AHC recommends all construction projects track and benchmark energy use.

All new construction projects must adhere to the Commission’s Universal Design requirements. These requirements may be downloaded from www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org Applications may be obtained on the internet at the Affordable Housing Commission’s website, www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org, September 5, 2022. Applications will also be available for pickup after 12 noon, Monday, September 5th at Affordable Housing Commission offices, 1520 Market Street, Suite #2080, 63103. It is anticipated that allocations relating to applications submitted in this funding round will be made by February 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions about the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Final Rule are available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf?utm_ source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_ COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e4-3a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The U.S. Treasury and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have published a How-To Guide for using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. It is available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Affordable-HousingHow-To-Guide.pdf?utm_source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_ CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e43a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2022. For additional information, please call the Affordable Housing Commission at 657-3880.

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of interior renovations of the headquarters office building. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids)

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SOLICITING

BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/ DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:

University of Missouri Project No. CP221951 University Physicians Medical Building- Ground Floor CHCC Clinic Renovation

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com Phone: 573-682-5505

SEALED BIDS

EducationPlus is accepting sealed bids to provide Roofing Supplies and Services, Waterproofing, and Related Products and Services as part of its Cooperative Purchasing program. Bids are due Tuesday, November 1, 2022 by 2 p.m. local time.

EducationPlus, located at 1460 Craig Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146, is a purchasing cooperative representing nearly 60 school districts as well as non-member schools, political subdivisions and nonprofits across the state. Bidders must be able to provide their proposed products and services throughout Missouri.

Bid information may be viewed and download at www.edplus.org by clicking on the Cooperative Purchasing tab, then the Open Bids tab. Please direct questions to Dr. Steve Griggs at sgriggs@edplus.org

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 9/8/22

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

On or after 9/16/22, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following Public Improvement, within the City:

Choice Neighborhoods: 14th Street Corridor Place Making Project

Purpose: The renovation and improvement of 14th Street between Cole and Cass Location: Neighborhood: Downtown West; Carr Square; Columbus Square; St. Louis Place; Old North St. Louis Ward: Old 5/New 14 & Old 7/New 14 City Block: 520.03; 520.04; 527; 528; 537-539; 546-547; 554-555; 564.04; 565; 573-574; 590-591; 598-599; 833-834

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $2,598,300, with $1,100,000 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s CHOICE Neighborhood Implementation Grant Funds— Grant # MO7E527CNG116 and $75,000 coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2021 Federal CDBG Program Funds— Grant # B-21-MC-29-0006.

The activity proposed is categorically excluded subject to under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is can be found online by visiting https://www.onecpd.info/ environmental-review/environmental-review-records or on file at the City’s CDA, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Special Assistant for Development, at (314) 314-657-3803.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Special Assistant for Development, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to these programs can also be directed to Justin Jackson, CDA, Executive Director, at the address listed above. All comments received by 9/16/22 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Visit https://www.onecpd.info/environmental-review/environmental-review-records to review HUD ERR.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis, Justin Jackson, in his capacity as Executive Director of CDA, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use these program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Mr. Craig Dobson, PIH Director, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 418-5230 and shall be addressed to Dana Buckner, U.S. Department of HUD, Office of Community Planning and Development, 1222 Spruce Street, Suite 3.203, St. Louis, MO 63103. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Justin Jackson, Executive Director Certifying Officer

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING

SERVICES FOR PRINCIPAL

ARTERIALS TRAFFIC SAFETY

ENHANCEMENTS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, September 23, 2022 through the Bid Express online portal at https://www. bidexpress.com/businesses/20618/ home?agency=true RFQ may be obtained from BPS website https:// www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ departments/public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or call Board of Public Service at 314-589-6214.

25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals.

SOLICITING BID

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting bids for 701 N. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd – Demolition of the North Riverfront Garage. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids and submit by September 15, 2022.

REHAB

CONTRACTORS NEEDED IN DECATUR

Multi-million-dollar rehabilitation projects available for contractors in Decatur, IL. City of Decatur seeks pre-qualified, qualified, and lead-abatement contractors to help meet this demand. The goal is to rehab 150-300 homes over the next two years. Bids will require prevailing wage, excluding any lead-abatement work. A Contractor’s Loan Fund is available to provide additional cash flow if needed. Visit www.decaturil.gov/ contractors-manual to view the Contractor’s Manual and be added to our list, or contact Connie Hamilton at 217-4502350, cfarrar@decaturil.gov

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for replacement of ceiling tile in Divisions 3 and 5 on the 5th Floor of the Civil Court Building. The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com Click on General Information, Then Request for Proposals. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on September 12, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Division 3 at the Civil Court Building, located at 10 N. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63101. Bids are due September 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EOE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Momentum Academy is looking to contract with a firm to provide Website Design and Building Services. All proposals due no later than September 15, 2022 @ 11am. Contact Antionette Bedessie, operations@ momentumacademystl.org, for more information.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Hankins Construction is Requesting Proposals for the following project: Project: Central Transportation Facility for Special School District Project Location: 5500 North Hanley Road, Kinloch, MO 63134

This project is Tax Exempt and Prevailing Wage. It also has a combined M/WBE Goal of 15%.

Bid Date: September 8th, 2022 @ 2:00 PM

The estimator working on this project is Erik Hankins. Please send all proposals to office@ hankinsmidwest.com. If you have any questions, please call our office at 314-426-7030.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Install Ground Mounted S

Array & LED Lighting, Festus FMS Building – Readiness Center, Project No. T2029-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL

1 : 3 0 P M , 9/15/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC System, Administration

U2002-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 9/27/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b

specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

INVITATION TO BID:

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL

DISTRICT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY BI POLAR IONIZERS (MATERIALS ONLY) ZERO TURN MOWER

MCCLUER HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD SOUND SYSTEM

Sealed bids for the above projects are being requested from the FFSD and will be received and publicly opened on Friday, September 9th, 2022 @ (1:00pm CST Zero Turn Mower), (1:15 pm CST Football Field sound system), and (1:45pm CST Central Elem Bi Polar Ionizers) at the Operation and Maintenance Dept. located at 8855 Dunn Rd. (REAR) Hazelwood, MO 63042. Pre bid meeting Tuesday September 6th 2022 @ 9am @ 1896 S. New Florissant Rd. FOR Football Field Sound System. Bid specs must be obtained at http://new.fergflor.k12. mo.us/facilities-rfq. Contact Matt Furfaro at mfurfaro@fergflor.org for further information/ questions.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing 10 agricultural style barns. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

to find his place. After a few years, Hawkins got his G.E.D. and enrolled at St. Louis Community College Forest Park.

Now a young father, he wanted to be a better version of himself for his daughter.

“ No one told me college wasn’t hard. I thought it would be too difficult because I dropped out of school in the 9th grade. I didn’t think I was smart enough for school. [It] turns out college was pretty easy for me,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins says attending community college opened his eyes to the fact that he could do anything, as long as he pushed himself. He gained confidence, and his next journey was to a four-year college.

His friend told him about Southern University A&M College. This was before the internet age and Hawkins had to go to the library to do his research on the school. Southern offered open enrollment, which means as long as his SAT score qualified he could get accepted with his credits from the community college and his G.E.D.

It wasn’t until Hawkins was a student at the university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that he got his first assignment as a photographer working for the school newspaper and yearbook.

He says it started as a playful joke. He would tease a friend by saying that he could take better photos. His friend called his bluff and suggested that he should apply for a photojournalist job for their school paper. Hawkins says this was his chance to make a little extra money. He discovered he was good at it and this was the beginning of his career as a photographer.

Hawkins came home for Christmas break and showed his dad his work for the school newspaper. His dad felt honored and proud to see his son following in his footsteps.

“After Christmas break, my dad sent me back to school with all the equipment he retired

with. So I went back on campus with the best cameras,” said Hawkins.

And he never looked back, photography was now his thing too, just like his dad. He took advantage of the time he spent on campus. Even though he didn’t graduate from the university the experience allowed him to elevate his skills in visual arts.

He edited films for the mass communications department, mentored seniors, and helped them with their senior projects. His time spent on campus taught him the importance of networking and building a name for himself. A lot of those skills he still uses for his business King Yella photography.

Hawkings made Louisanna home, traveling between Baton Rouge and New Orleans connecting with the late 90s early 2000s top chart rap artists, Cash Money Records artist Lil Wayne, Turk, and No Limit Records artists, Mia X, Mystikal, and Silkk the Shocker. Hawkins captured their tours, concerts, and public appearances. Wherever they were there was Hawkins with his camera creating memories for his clients.

After nearly 15 years of living in the South, Hawkins decided to move back home. It meant that he would have to start from scratch, no one knew him here as a photographer for the celebrities. He, again, was a small fish in a big pond.

“My name had no weight here, I had to start over. I moved in with my brother until I got on my feet,” said Hawkins.

He lost touch with a lot of his friends, but moving back did have its perks. He would randomly run into one of his dad’s mentors, they would talk and catch up, Hawkins enjoyed hearing stories of yesteryear about his dad’s contributions to raising today’s photographers, it made him feel proud. To make ends meet, Hawkings dabbled a little in construction. To build his name on the photography side, Hawkins took photos of St. Louis’ night scene. He admits he received criticism because some photographers consider that type of work, not real photography.

Hawkins didn’t care what anyone had to say, he was making at least $300 a night, and he was doing what he loved to do, take photos.

“If you ever feel like it’s the end of the world, don’t even trip. I started over at 31,” said Hawkins.

He credits the life lessons he learned in Louisiana and putting himself out there at such a young age to his success in St. Louis.

“Everything you learn in life is a part of your education, most things you learn won’t come out of a book,” said Hawkins.

From college campus camera guy to celebrity photographer, King Yella is a go-to guy. He is often the requested photographer for album cover art, for behind-the-scenes video footage, or simply to take photos.

King Yella is that dude.

Like his dad, Hawkins mentors up-and-coming photographers and some of the lessons he teaches them is to learn from their walk of life to capture the story they want to tell.

“I was young before and made mistakes, I like connecting with the youngsters because I am who I was raised to be now, and I can pass down that wisdom that I have now,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins tells them if they can’t afford to go to school for photography, go to Youtube learn and practice their skill until they can get to college.

He says always brand a business, even if it’s just wearing a shirt with the name and logo, brand yourself, be your marketer.

Which are the same lessons he is passing on to his adult daughter and young son, “I want them to love photography for the sake of capturing your memories, creating something for yourself,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins is still keeping himself busy behind the camera, working with ‘today’s’ entertainers, Big Boss Vett, Offset, Guccio, and many more.

To learn more about King Yella Photography visit @ KingYella and @Hawkinsdidit on Instagram.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter

Shorty Da Prince, takes the Field Stage from 2:20 p.m.3:05 p.m.

Triplett, 22, a Cahokia, Illinois, native has been singing since he was nine years old, but it took him years later to realize that Blues music was his true calling.

“I started off singing Michael Jackson, then as the years progressed, I started performing music more and more ahead of my time,” Triplett said. “Transitioning to Blues music has allowed me to get in touch with people from the past by listening to their music. It’s an ancestral thing in which I’m able to connect with the past on a deeper level.”

Triplett said the audience can expect to see an electrifying performance from him at Music at the Intersection.

“ I hope you like electricity,” Triplett said. “My performance is going to be electric, it’s going to shock a lot of people because I’m coming with an energy I’ve never come with before.”

Singer and actress Seviin Li will take the stage on Wash Avenue from 4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Saturday with a tribute to Tina Turner with BJ The Chicago Kid and The Bosman Twins performing on the other stages.

Li was born in Madrid, Spain, and moved around a lot throughout the United States due to her father’s military career. Her career started from touring around the country performing in Christian plays, which also motivated her to pursue a successful music career singing solo and contributing vocals to her husband Murphy Lee’s music (Lee will also be performing at Music at the Intersection alongside his brother and fellow bandmate Kyjuan of St. Lunatics).

“In my sets, especially for Tina [Turner], I always bring positive energy, encourage people to forget about their problems and just smile for a moment,” Li said.

Similar to Bell’s sentiments of encouraging guests to stand on their feet and move their chairs at Music at the Intersection, Li added to put on your dancing shoes, bring your friends, and be ready to have a good time.

Check out Music at the Intersection’s full schedule

Saturday, Sept. 10

Noon - Super Hero Killer (Field Stage)

12:25 p.m. The Kasimu-et (Big Top Stage)

12:30 p.m. Saint Boogie Brass Band (Washington Avenue Stage)

1:10 p.m. NandoSTL

(Field Stage)

1:35 p.m. Jazz St. Louis “Celebrating Montez Coleman (Big Top Stage)

1:45 p.m. Foxing (Washington Avenue Stage)

2:20 p.m. Reggie Son (Field Stage)

2:50 p.m. Dylan Triplett (Big Top Stage)

2:55 p.m. Rose Royce (Washington Avenue Stage)

3:30 p.m. BJ The Chicago Kid (Field Stage)

3:50 p.m. The Bosman Twins (Big Top Stage)

4:20 p.m. Seviin Li Honoring Tina Turner (Washington Avenue Stage)

4:45 p.m. Lamar Harris’ Georgia Mae (Field Stage)

5:10 p.m. The Henry Townsend Acoustic Blues Showcase featuring Sharon Bear Foehner and Doug Foehner with Chuck “Popcorn” Louden and special guest Eric McSpadden + St. Louis Steady Grinders: Ethan Leinwand and “Miss Jubilee” Valerie Jo with Mat Wilson (Big Top Stage)

5:50 p.m. Hiatus Kaiyote (Washington Avenue Stage)

6:15 pm. Keyon Harrold featuring Black Milk, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Alex Isley, and more (Field Stage)

6:35 p.m. Peter Martin (Big Top Stage)

7:30 p.m. Murphy Lee and Kyjuan of St. Lunatics (Washington Avenue Stage)

7:45 p.m. The Urge (Field Stage)

8:05 p.m. Kamasi Washington (Big Top Stage)

8:30 p.m. St. Louis Legends Award: Angela Winbush (Washington Avenue Stage) DJ Stage (11 a.m.- 9 p.m.) features BSS DJs (Mahf and Who) and The Time Traveler DJs (G. Wiz, DJ Lady Jock, DJ She Beatz and Soopaman DJ Speed)

Sunday, Sept. 11

11:30 a.m. Lydia Caesar (Washington Avenue Stage)

11:30 a.m. Hip Grease (Field Stage)

11:45

and Adam Maness (Field Stage)

1 p.m. Tracer featuring Ptah Williams (Big Top Stage)

2:05

(Field

3:30 p.m.

Yella

Priorities for funding for this round include high quality applications that:

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 20% of the area median income.

• Propose permanent supportive housing for special needs and vulnerable populations with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 65% of the area median income.

• Proposes housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income and is located within a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Qualified Census Tract in the City of St. Louis (2022). https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sadda/sadda_qct.html.

• Provide assistance or initiatives that prevent homelessness for households or individuals earning at or below 80% AMI.

• Provide affordable housing services (grant program) while advancing ten or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan, or create affordable housing units (loan program) while advancing fifteen or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan.

• Develop affordable housing within one half-mile of public transportation.

• Comprehensively rehabilitate housing units (for-sale & rental) to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, etc.), or have an energy audit with a HERS of 85 or less.

All rehabilitation projects must adhere to the City’s Lead Safe requirements and receive a Lead Safe Clearance performed by a State Licensed Inspector at the project’s conclusion.

All new construction projects must build to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, or EnergyStar with a RESNET energy auditor.) The development is not required to receive formal certification. All development projects must complete (as a condition of fund ing, not required for application): 1) Spire High Efficiency Program Rebate application, and, 2) Ameren Missouri Energy Efficiency Rebate and Incentive application. AHC recommends all construction projects track and benchmark energy use.

All new construction projects must adhere to the Commission’s Universal Design requirements. These requirements may be downloaded from www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org

Applications may be obtained on the internet at the Affordable Housing Commission’s website, www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org, September 5, 2022. Applications will also be avail able for pickup after 12 noon, Monday, September 5th at Affordable Housing Commission offic es, 1520 Market Street, Suite #2080, 63103. It is anticipated that allocations relating to applica tions submitted in this funding round will be made by February 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions about the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Final Rule are available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf?utm_ source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_ COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e4-3a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The U.S. Treasury and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have published a How-To Guide for using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. It is available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Affordable-HousingHow-To-Guide.pdf?utm_source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_ CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e43a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2022. For additional information, please call the Affordable Housing Commission at 657-3880.

NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND

The Affordable Housing Commission (“AHC”) of the City of St. Louis hereby notifies interested applicants of the availability of $9,019,372 million in grant and loan funding from three sources. The funds to be awarded are:

Affordable Housing Trust Funds (AHTF) – These funds are intended for use in the development of housing and the provision of housing-related services that address the goals of developing and preserving affordable and accessible housing, preventing homelessness and/or providing services for the homeless. Projects funded by the AHTF must benefit persons with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. The Trust Fund must use 40% of its funds to assist households with incomes at or below 20% of the area median income. $5,719,372 million will be awarded.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) - These funds are intended for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in efforts to prevent homelessness. $2,000,000 million will be awarded.

Equitable Development Contribution - These funds are intended for use in the development of housing and the provision of housing-related services that address the goals of developing and preserving affordable and accessible housing, preventing homelessness and/or providing services for the homeless.

• $900,000.00 for housing preservation, maintenance and housing services for residents living within the 17th Ward (2021) boundaries will be awarded.

• $400,000.00 for housing preservation, maintenance and housing services for residents living in neighborhoods North of Delmar will be awarded.

As a step to ease the application burden, the Commission has combined the application process for the three funding sources. Non-profit agencies and developers may apply for: a) servicerelated grants, b) loans and other subsidies for rental housing production, and c) loans and other subsidies for for-sale housing developments. Separate application forms are available for each type of request. Because the Commission will be awarding funds from three sources, dollars awarded may be from a combination of funding sources. The Commission does NOT make grants or loans to individuals seeking housing or support services.

Priorities for funding for this round include high quality applications that:

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 20% of the area median income.

• Propose permanent supportive housing for special needs and vulnerable populations with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.

• Propose housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 65% of the area median income.

• Proposes housing, shelter, or housing services for persons and families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income and is located within a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Qualified Census Tract in the City of St. Louis (2022). https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sadda/sadda_qct.html.

• Provide assistance or initiatives that prevent homelessness for households or individuals earning at or below 80% AMI.

• Provide affordable housing services (grant program) while advancing ten or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan, or create affordable housing units (loan program) while advancing fifteen or more objectives outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan.

• Develop affordable housing within one half-mile of public transportation.

• Comprehensively rehabilitate housing units (for-sale & rental) to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, etc.), or have an energy audit with a HERS of 85 or less.

All rehabilitation projects must adhere to the City’s Lead Safe requirements and receive a Lead Safe Clearance performed by a State Licensed Inspector at the project’s conclusion.

All new construction projects must build to a national green building standard (LEED, Enterprise Green, NGBS, or EnergyStar with a RESNET energy auditor.) The development is not required to receive formal certification. All development projects must complete (as a condition of funding, not required for application): 1) Spire High Efficiency Program Rebate application, and, 2) Ameren Missouri Energy Efficiency Rebate and Incentive application. AHC recommends all construction projects track and benchmark energy use.

All new construction projects must adhere to the Commission’s Universal Design requirements. These requirements may be downloaded from www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org

Applications may be obtained on the internet at the Affordable Housing Commission’s website, www.affordablehousingcommissionstl.org, September 5, 2022. Applications will also be available for pickup after 12 noon, Monday, September 5th at Affordable Housing Commission offices, 1520 Market Street, Suite #2080, 63103. It is anticipated that allocations relating to applications submitted in this funding round will be made by February 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions about the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Final Rule are available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf?utm_ source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_ COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e4-3a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The U.S. Treasury and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have published a How-To Guide for using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. It is available: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Affordable-HousingHow-To-Guide.pdf?utm_source=NCSHA&utm_campaign=3a9b7e4e7a-EMAIL_ CAMPAIGN_2019_02_06_09_58_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f00bc192e43a9b7e4e7a-252989643

The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2022. For additional information, please call the Affordable Housing Commission at 657-3880.